Jim Morrow sighed as he flopped into his very comfortable reclining Upkla chair. He really needed to ask Angelo to bring coffee on his next trip to Vidiia. As he contemplated that next cup of coffee, Lucky whimpered and then started to chew on his pant leg. He reached down and picked up the golden debarl that Lilija and Jerzan had given him as a house warming present.

Apparently it was a Vidiian tradition. He laughed as Lucky growled, then started licking his face. "No," he ordered. There was a soft whimper followed by another ferocious growl. Fortunately Lilija and Jerzan had also given him several books about debarl care. Lucky quickly curled up and fell asleep in his lap. He would have a few minutes before she would leap up and demand playtime.

He had arranged a few days off, so he could show Angelo and his wife around Vidalia. Tal Celes couldn't come and Angelo was in high demand elsewhere. Apparently Angelo and a team of Vidiian architects were designing the new Confederation buildings on New Earth.

But that did mean he had the rest of the day to himself. He really did need to find some things for his apartment. The lack of replicators was a problem, Jim had never gotten past soup in his cooking lessons. At least Mike Ayala had found someone on the colony who collected cookbooks. Angelo had brought a copy of something with the ridiculous title "The Bachelor's Guide to Cooking and Household Chores." He knew how to clean. At least he could afford to eat out as often as he needed or wanted.

Now, what could he find on Vidiian that was similar to macaroni? Or cheese? Well, to be honest he'd found something very similar to swiss cheese at one of the Vidalia outdoor markets two weeks...He stopped and did the math. The Vidiian day was about 26 Earth hours, there were 9 Vidiian days in their week, so it was...It was two and a half Svaro ago. Considering when he'd arrived five months ago, he hadn't even know that there were over a dozen different Vidiian languages. He would consider himself fortunate if he learned Vidol-the language that government was run in-before his 30th birthday.

And oh, how he wanted a pizza.

He sighed. He wasn't going to get anything done if he just sat there. He carefully reached over and grabbed his PADD. Lucky could sleep through a thunderstorm, then want to play. He could at least read the letter from Noah that Angelo had brought him.

Dear Jim,

It was good to hear from you in the last datastream. I am delighted that you are doing so well. I'll get the worst out first. I still have found no trace of Brian. I did try the places you suggested, though it took a while to hear from Klanak. No luck. I looked through death records-there's nothing there either. I have a friend who works in Federation Hall of Records, and he's flagged the name. I'm hoping Brian changed his name and is out there somewhere, alive and doing well.

Jim also hoped so.

Marla is, for lack of a better word, content in her life. She works hard and while there are risks, the work is very important. She is still torn up about Harry and everything that happened. She didn't seem adverse to me forwarding a letter from you, but she doesn't want anyone, especially Harry, to know where she is.

My little florist shop is doing well, in fact I'm negotiating to buy the store next door and expand into it. I had to hire another sales clerk, though I don't know if I will keep her. It is hard to hire help. Some come to the interview because of the rumors of our past...and I'm sure many don't come because of the same rumors. StarFleet has been absolutely mum about us. At least the press stopped coming by.

My darling Hannah is doing great. She will be attending the Luna Academy next year. She wants to attend StarFleet Academy, though she is thinking of a political career, not a starship one.

It is a little awkward with her stepdad still. I see Hannah on weekends, and once a year she comes for two weeks. We're going to Paris this year. I can't believe I can afford to take my not-so baby girl to Paris. She can't talk about anything else. I think her stepdad is worried about her wanting to stay with me permanently, not because of the rumors. She's growing up so fast. She wants to go shopping...with me in Paris. Ack, I already told her I didn't think it was a good idea-but I have stashed away enough to buy her a Parisian Dress for school.

What is Vidiian food like? Anything like Talaxian?

Jim chuckled. He still remembered his first time in Neelix's kitchen...it beat ration bars and water, but it had grown on him. He made a mental note to remember to tell Noah about southern Kron food. He wasn't fond of Northern Kron. Bland was an overstatement, but the southern Kron food was somewhat similar to Italian, mixed with a touch of Indian. And there was a rather good cafe about a block from his apartment. That was something else he could write about. His apartment. He'd spent about three months (he would have to stop thinking in Earth terms) with his boss Jerzan Chal and his wife. Lilija had been great, but Jim was certain she was relieved when he'd announced he'd found a place.

Noah's letters were always somewhat short, this was one of the longer ones. Jim frowned as he reread the section about Brian. He had known Brian well when they had served together. He was StarFleet born and bred-and the General Discharge had hurt. He would ask Noah that if he found Brian, that he suggest that Brian also return to the DQ. Jim would help pay his way, but he would ask Noah not to mention that part.

Lucky whimpered in her sleep, then started lashing her tail. Angelo was convinced that the Upkla company would make a fortune at the new colony, once things became more settled. He suspected Tom would get a chair too. In fact he needed to ask Jerzan for another long weekend or rather ermatat. Tom and his family were coming in three months. He'd already scouted the best children's stores.

His apartment. He'd never had his own place. It even had a guest bedroom. He'd moved in six Svaro ago. He stopped as he ran the calculations in his head. Yes, it was six. He had finally managed to count to one hundred in Vidol without using his fingers just days ago. Jerzan had even understood what he said. But he wouldn't be giving up his universal translator anytime soon.

He needed to get going. Tycos Indorin's trial was starting in one Svaro, and once it did he wouldn't have a day off for a long while-for three months anyway. The government was going all out-as Indorin was the highest member of the late and not lamented Mupano Tar's inner circle still alive. The prosecution (Jorak, he reminded himself) wanted Indorin executed. The idea still bothered Jim, even after he'd learned all that Indorin and Mupano Industries had done. There were many things about Vidiian Justice that bothered him. He'd been horrified, that under certain circumstances, torture was still allowed. But from what he'd learned, he figured that was on its way out.

The new fledgling Delta Quadrant Security Force, was still looking for a name, but as it's second in command, Jim finally felt "content" with his life. He had three investigators serving under him, 2 Ocampa trainees, and a security officer from the Krowtonan Guard. He also had three assistants. Once Indorin's trial was over, he would be traveling to Talax, Haakonia, and New Earth on a recruiting mission.

He put the PADD down. Boim fruit would be in season only five more Svaro-and he liked it. Brolen Street wasn't that far away, and he did need a new pair of shoes.

At that moment Lucky woke up and jumped off his lap. She started yipping and growling as she leapt up and down.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" The yipping became louder.

He grabbed his jacket and her leash. Angelo hadn't known when he would be back, but Jim planned on treating him at his favorite cafe. Lucky grabbed at the leash he was holding. "Okay, okay, I'm coming."

Tomorrow he would write a letter to Noah and have it ready for Angelo to take back to New Earth for the next datastream. Maybe he'd finally write to Marla too.

Yes, he thought. Right now, life was good, then Lucky tugged hard at her leash that he still hadn't hooked to her collar.

Nothing like a puppy or debarl kit to keep the introspection to a minimum. He chuckled as he hooked the leash. Lucky started bouncing more.

Life was indeed good.