36 HOURS LATER...

Carson had removed his uniform jacket and draped it over his chair. He hated the new jacket. Belt with the Starfleet Command insignia. Why the hell did flag officer uniforms have to be so ostentatious? They weren't practical. They weren't meant to be practical. Flag officers didn't have to worry about that... Carson's thoughts were interrupted by the door chime.

CARSON "Come"

Gabriel entered the room standing tall.

GABRIEL "You're completely serious about this?"

CARSON "As a heart attack."

GABRIEL "What?"

Carson waved his hand dismissively.

CARSON "Something my grandfather would say to me."

GABRIEL "If...IF I did come back I'd have conditions."

CARSON "I expected you might."

Carson went to his replicator.

CARSON "Want something?"

GABRIEL "Sure."

CARSON "Tea, black, hot. Coffee, black, hot, double sweet."

The replicator dispenses two cups of steaming hot liquid. Carson couldn't stand coffee but Gabriel would always enjoy it. Carson always thought it was something Gabriel would use to torment him. Carson then smiled realizing how much he missed that as he handed Gabriel his coffee.

GABRIEL "Thanks."

CARSON "Please...so what are your conditions if you were to come back?"

They both took seats on the couch.

GABRIEL "Well if I am to command the Arizona, I want to pick my own crew."

CARSON "Done. I'll have a solid list of candidates sent to your quarters so you can review them."

GABRIEL "Thank you, sir."

Carson couldn't help but smile. That was the Alex Gabriel he knew and loved like his younger brother.

GABRIEL "I'm assuming Command doesn't want a Commander in the center seat of such an important ship."

CARSON "I doubt it."

GABRIEL "So that would mean promotion."

CARSON "It would. To be honest, Alex, six months after the war ended you would've been commanding your own ship anyway."

Gabriel obviously didn't like that reminder.

GABRIEL "There had to have been other people that could do this job."

CARSON "Not like you."

GABRIEL "Sus could've."

CARSON "She didn't want it. She has her own ship and loves it. Damn good Captain."

GABRIEL "Doesn't surprise me."

CARSON "She'll be thrilled to hear you're back."

GABRIEL "Haven't said I'm back yet."

Carson stopped himself at Gabriel's remark.

CARSON "Forgive my assumption."

GABRIEL "I want you to promote me."

Carson was touched deeply by Gabriel's condition.

GABRIEL "That way if I screw up you'd have to own it."

And the moment was ruined. Same old Gabriel, same smart ass.

CARSON "What else?"

GABRIEL "I'm gonna need a uniform."

CARSON "We can do that."

Gabriel finished his coffee and put his cup in the replicator.

GABRIEL "One further thing."

CARSON "So far you've been pretty reasonable."

GABRIEL "I'd like us to go over some of the picks I have for senior officers. You can provide some insight."

CARSON "We can meet in the Conference Lounge tomorrow at fourteen hundred."

GABRIEL "Perfect, thank you, sir."

Gabriel takes Carson's tea and puts it in the replicator and sets it to disposal. Carson stands and extends his hand.

CARSON "Welcome back...Captain"

Gabriel takes it.

GABRIEL "Not Captain yet."

CARSON "For what it is worth, I'm glad to have you back. We need you and if I maybe so bold, you need us."

Gabriel looks him in the eye in that unnerving way he did that always put Carson on edge.

GABRIEL "Maybe."

He leaves the quarters. Carson smiles to himself.

CARSON "A day and a half must be a record."

Carson went back to his book rather pleased with himself.