Katherine watched Captain Hunter sample the pasta, but the lingering way he did so sent her pulse racing, and she let out a soft breath, unconsciously licking her lips before tearing her gaze away from him to look down at her plate.  She had been flirting with him, something she rarely let her guard down long enough to do, and blushed slightly, wondering if he had noticed. It was frustratingly impossible for her to tell what he was thinking, and though she felt certain they were both growing more comfortable around each other, she sensed he was trying to keep a professional distance, which she admonished herself, is what she should be endeavouring to do.  Still, she had to admit it did feel good to flirt with a man, especially one as handsome, strong and alluring as Scott Hunter, and she realized how many years she had denied herself that simple pleasure because she’d been too busy focusing only on her career.  Despite knowing full well a relationship on board would be fraught with complications and she<em>should</em>be keeping him at arms-length, in that moment, she wasn’t Dr. Randall psychologist, but simply a woman attracted to a man, and a woman refusing to listen to the unwelcome voice of caution and restraint.  Instead, she rebelled against it, smiled at him playfully, and laughed when he teased her about opening a restaurant.  Then, in a small stretch of silence that passed between them, his gaze flickered across her face, and when she looked deeply into his dark eyes, it sent a rush of heat all the way down to her belly that was so distracting she almost didn’t hear what he said.<br/><br/>She did hear him though and had been about to answer his question about why she accepted the mission when Garber burst into the cafeteria.  Disappointment swept across her face at the interruption, but she quickly recovered and looked up at the young soldier, remembering her priorities. Something in the younger man’s expression let on he was worried and her brow furrowed with concern.  She met Captain Hunter’s questioning gaze, and waited to see if Garber would explain what it was. When he finally described the condition of Sgt. Walters, Katherine frowned deeply and decided she should find Dr. Pike.  When Captain Hunter apologized for having to cut their dinner short, she smiled with understanding and waived her hand dismissively. “Yes of course, please don’t even think twice about it.  This is significantly more important than dinner and a coffee.”  Inclining her head towards the door she said, “I’ll go and let Dr. Pike know so he can check on Sgt. Walters and make sure he’s ok”.<br/><br/>Rising from the chair, she jumped at Garber’s loud shout out for help, and then ran into the corridor behind the Captain, gasping when she saw Sgt. Walters lying on the floor, his condition obviously serious.  Before she had time to think, Captain Hunter assessed the Sgt. and began first aid, while ordering her to inform the others of their location and details. Katherine didn’t hesitate and in the next second, snatched the radio off the floor, and pressed the button. “This is Dr. Randall, I’m with Captain Hunter just outside of the Cafeteria and we have a man down, I repeat, we have a man down.  We need Dr. Pike here immediately!” She said it loudly, but managed to stay calm.<br/><br/>“Katherine?  This is Dr. Heath…Dr. Pike is already on his way, but what the devil is going on?”  The older doctor’s concerned voice crackled out over the radio.<br/><br/>“It’s Sgt. Walters…he is unconscious, with high fever, erratic pulse and difficulty breathing.  Captain Hunter is administering first aid, but Walters is fading fast.  We need Dr. Pike ASAP,” she said, the tone of her voice stressing the urgency she felt.<br/><br/>“Understood.  I’m on my way to the infirmary and will meet you all there.”  Dr. Heath said authoritatively.<br/><br/>Katherine continued to clutch the radio, and cast a worried glance at the fallen man, impressed and relieved to see how quickly the Captain had taken control with his obvious skill at emergency aid. Though she hated standing there feeling helpless, she knew it would be worse to interfere.  Captain Hunter would no doubt ask her to help if he needed it, but for now, he was busy giving instructions to Garber, who looked very uneasy, but did everything he was told.  However, despite their interventions, Walters did not look good.  In fact, he had a worrying pallor and she tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for Dr. Pike.  Thankfully, she soon heard footsteps running towards them and Dr. Pike appeared seconds later, with Dr. Davis at his side.<br/><br/>He rushed past her with eyes for no one except the patient, and crouched down, taking Walters wrist in his hand while barking questions at Captain Hunter and Garber until satisfied he had all the information. Finally, he looked up and said, “You did a good job of keeping him stable Captain, but we have to get this man to the infirmary as quickly as we can.  I’ll need you both to help me carry him,” he said hurriedly, then shifted to a position behind Walters’ head, gently placing his hands under his neck to hold it so that his airway remained open. Nodding to the Captain and Garber to take their position he said, “Ok, let’s move.”<br/><br/>Dr. Davis stood wringing her hands beside Katherine and the two women stood back while the three men carried Walters away, then they fell in behind to follow.  Noting how nervous Carol seemed, Katherine placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sure he’ll be ok, try to relax,” she said softly, but Carol didn’t acknowledge her because she was completely preoccupied by what was happening.<br/><br/>The two walked quickly behind the others in strained silence until they arrived at the infirmary where Dr. Heath was waiting.  Once they placed Walters on a vacant bed, Katherine saw Lt. Peters lying on the neighbouring one, clearly suffering from the same illness. Carol Davis stopped just inside the doorway as though afraid to go further, causing Katherine to glance behind, puzzled.  She was about to ask the woman what was going on when Dr. Pike spoke up. “Well Dr. Heath, it’s clearly no longer just a ‘risk’.  Don’t you think you should tell them<em>now</em>?”  He asked pointedly and raised his eyebrow while gesturing around at the people in the room.<br/><br/>With a tired expression, the older scientist sighed. “Yes of course.”  Raising her head, she crossed her arms and explained the entirety of the situation, making a point of casting no small amount of blame on the two doctors who had made the errors in judgement.  “…so, now that you all know what we’re dealing with, I expect you to keep it quiet as long as possible and not cause a panic among the others just yet.”<br/><br/>Furious at the realization this had been kept secret despite the reality of people’s lives hanging in the balance, Katherine clenched her fists and walked over to stand beside Lt. Peters, grimacing at how pale and fragile the young soldier looked.  In a carefully restrained voice directed at Dr. Pike behind her, she said, “Tell us the truth Doctor...how bad is it?  Are any of the medications we brought on board working?”<br/><br/>He shook his head.  “It’s bad.  I haven’t tried everything yet, but it doesn’t look promising I’m afraid,” he replied with a thread of regret and sorrow in his voice.<br/><br/>Katherine turned around and almost felt sorry for him, guilt was written all over his face and it was obvious he felt entirely responsible for what had befallen Walters and Peters.  Her expression softened.  "Is there anything the rest of us can do to help you?  Do you have any ideas?" She asked gently, trying to ease the tension.<br/><br/>"Thanks but at this point it's simply trial and error.  If nothing we have on board works, then short of beaming a fully stocked med lab on board, I don't see there is anything that will help," he replied, clearly frustrated.  "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to do some more tests," he said before moving to the other end of the room to get some supplies.<br/><br/>Unwilling to accept that nothing could be done, Katherine looked to Dr. Heath and Dr. Davis who both stood near the door deep in conversation, one angry and the other terrified.  Irritated by their lack of engagement, Katherine then turned to Captain Hunter believing he at least would share her desire to do something. "Perhaps we should at the very least check on the rest of the crew before we do anything else.  If others have become infected, they may be incapacitated somewhere and need assistance.  If not, then maybe we should assemble everyone in one place so nobody ends up that way.  What do you think?"  She asked him earnestly, hoping he'd agree and decide to help her coordinate it.