Chapter 7: Stay With Me
Nicole was sorting out her clothes when Adam called to her from the living room.
"Nikki, you have an incoming message from Starfleet Command!"
"Okay!"
Nicole went over to her desk. She tapped in her access code. The head of Starfleet popped on the screen. She repressed the urge to roll her eyes. This was the third time this week that he contacted her about Mark's health.
"Good afternoon, Lieutenant." He said, smiling.
"Good afternoon, sir." Nicole said, smiling back.
"So I heard that Admiral Collins is pulling through quite well."
"Yes sir." She nodded her head. "He was sitting up in bed eating when I went to visit him this morning."
"That is fantastic! I was worried."
No you weren't, Nicole thought. You just wanted me to go clean out his office so someone could take his position.
"Likewise, sir."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone standing in the doorway to her bedroom. All she could see was a red uniform. She thought it was Adam at first, but she was clearly wrong.
She held up her finger to let them know that she would be finished in a minute.
"Well, I still need you to come to my office before you leave to sign the paperwork so you can get his belongings."
"With all due respect sir, I am not blood. Ensign Collins should have the right to get Admiral Collins' belongings from his office."
"Yes this is true, but Admiral Collins put you and Ensign Collins down as kin."
Nicole controlled the urge to roll her eyes again. She needed to be professional as best she could right now. This man could end her career in a heartbeat.
"Yes sir. I can be there within the hour."
"I will be expecting you, Lieutenant."
He then ended the chat. Nicole groaned as he sat back in her chair.
"Problem?"
Nicole looked over in the direction of her doorway. The person in the red uniform was someone she was not expecting. It was Commander Riker.
"When did the Enterprise get here?" She asked, containing her excitement.
"About an hour ago. I wanted to come by and see how you are doing." Commander Riker said.
"I am alright, Commander." Nicole stood up from her chair. "I guess I have to take a trip to Starfleet Command."
Nicole went through her clothes and found a uniform. She decided since she was seeing the Head of Starfleet it would be professional to be in uniform. She went into her closet and creaked the door.
Commander Riker walked all the way into her room. He looked around admiring how well his daughter decorated it. She had a queen sized bed with the same bedding her mother had in her quarters. On either side of the bed were two side tables. One had a silver lamp with a cream color lampshade. And on the other there was a datapad and a fake succulent. He also noticed a photo.
Nicole walked out of her closet. She saw the first officer staring at a photo. She came up, standing beside him, startling the poor man for a moment.
"I thought you or your mother would've trashed this picture." He said, quietly.
"I told her not to." Nicole said.
Commander Riker set the photo down. Nicole noticed that he was on the verge of crying.
He turned to look at her. "You need to get to Starfleet Command, Lieutenant."
"Yes sir." Nicole said, nodding her head.
They were silent for a moment before Commander Riker spoke again.
"I can give you a ride. I think I have you boxed in anyway." Commander Riker offered, nervously. He didn't want to push it. If she didn't want him to, it was okay.
Nicole stared right into those baby blues. And for the first time, she didn't protest. She let him take her. Not much she could do when he boxed her in.
Nicole looked out the window as they were leaving the country side to head to the city. It was afternoon so the traffic wasn't too bad.
"How is Admiral Collins today? I heard you said that he was sitting up and eating." Commander Riker said.
Nicole smiled hugely and looked over at the driver. "Oh yes! He was sitting up. Talking. And eating."
"That is awesome! I am happy to hear that!"
"I am happy about it too. I don't know what I would do without him. He helped me through a lot." Nicole said, sadly.
"That is understandable. He did care for you." Commander Riker said. He gripped the steering wheel to control the urge to hold Nicole's hand.
Nicole looked back out the window. Her mind was far away. She was thinking back to all of the memories she had with Mark. Meeting him for the first time on Betazed. Him caring for her when she got her telepathic abilities. And him being the father she always needed.
She sighed when she walked down the stairs at Starfleet Command. She hated that she was the one who had to sign the paperwork. Why did Admiral Collins make her kin?
Nicole contained the urge to burst out laughing. Commander Riker being the womanizer he was, he was flirting with the secretary. She smiled as she walked down the last few steps. She then headed over to the first officer.
"Okay c'mon Casanova." Nicole tried to move him away. "I need to get back home and prepare dinner."
"If you excuse me." Commander Riker said, smiling flirtatiously.
Nicole just rolled her eyes. She started walking away. Commander Riker followed behind.
In the car ride back, Nicole was quiet once again. She never needed Tucker more than she did now. However, it was nice to have her father driving her. She wished he didn't leave.
"Are you okay Nikki?" Commander Riker asked, turning down the road leading to the highway.
She opened her hand and held up a pip.
"He made you a full Lieutenant?" Commander Riker asked.
"Apparently so. Captain Picard was there too." Nicole said.
Commander Riker was silent. Before the Enterprise showed up Captain Picard talked with him and La Forage about Nicole. They all agreed it was time for a promotion.
"You know you deserve it." Commander Riker said.
"I guess." Nicole shrugged.
"What is it?" He asked, taking the exit to where the house was located.
"I don't know if I am ready for it." Nicole said.
"What do you mean?"
Nicole sighed. "I know I always wanted to be a Chief Engineer. Possibly first officer or Captain, but…."
This time Commander Riker couldn't help himself. He placed a hand on hers. Nicole was startled but she didn't move hers away.
"I know your time on The Newton was a traumatic experience for you, Nikki. However, you have shown yourself through being on the Yukon and the Enterprise. You deserve it." Commander Riker said.
He pulled into the driveway. Right behind Nicole's worn down air car. Nicole held the pip as she got out of the car. Commander Riker stopped her though before she could walk up to the house.
"Here. Let me." He removed the black pip representing that she was a junior grade officer. He then placed the other pip in its place. "There."
"Shouldn't the Captain or an Admiral do that, sir?" Nicole asked.
Commander Riker just smiled. Nicole smiled back, rolling her eyes a bit.
"Saw that Lieutenant." Commander Riker teased.
Nicole just stuck her tongue out at him. Commander Riker raised an eyebrow. Nicole just smiled and bolted into the house.
"Nicole!" Commander called back to her, laughing.
"What do you mean you have to watch the kids!?" Tucker raised his voice some. He was almost to the point of yelling.
It was the next day. Tucker finally decided to make an appearance. He didn't even come to her promotion party last night.
"Tucker, baby, please keep it down. Mackenzie is sleeping." Nicole pleaded holding a finger to her lips. She didn't want to wake up the new edition to the Collins' family.
Tucker groaned and rolled his eyes. "Why do you have to watch the kids?" He said, telepathically.
"Adam has a meeting with the captain of Wisconsin. And Mary Ann has to finish up things here so she and the kids can go with Adam." Nicole said, telepathically.
"I wanted to spend time with my girlfriend, but she would rather be with strangers."
Nicole could see the anger filling her boyfriend's eyes. She understood where he was coming from. However, they weren't strangers. This family is her family.
"I am sorry baby. It is Saturday so there is no school. And Mackenzie is still too little for daycare. Both Adam and Mary Ann said it was okay for you to stay here with me. Mary Ann should be back within a couple of hours." Nicole said out loud. She took a couple steps closer to him.
Tucker placed his hands on Nicole's shoulders and pushed her back. "I don't want to be here with some smelly kids." He said.
Nicole was taken back. That was the first time that he placed hands on her. She shook it off. His emotions were all over the place so he probably didn't know what he was doing.
"I can always contact you when Mary Ann gets here. We can go do something then." Nicole said. Tears were started to well up in her eyes.
"Fine." Tucker said. Without another word, he turned on his heels and walked out of the house. Slamming the door behind him.
It startled Nicole so badly that she began to cry. Why was he being like this? At the beginning of their relationship she explained to him that Admiral Collins took her in while her mother was at Starfleet Academy. He practically raised her!
She sniffled and wiped the tears that were falling.
"Are you alright, Nikki?" Data asked.
His calming concerned voice startled her a little. She forgot that her and Commander La Forge were here. They came by before Tucker did, asking if she wanted to participate in a theory on the holodeck. Of course she couldn't, she had to take care of the kids.
Speaking of kids, she needed to get lunch ready. Help Mia with her homework. And was that Mackenzie crying? The slamming of the front door probably woke her.
Nicole coughed back a sob. She plastered a smile on her face.
"I am alright, Data." Nicole said, turning around and heading to go get the baby.
Nicole was comforting Mackenzie. Bouncing her lightly when little Mia walked in with a datapad and a stylus.
"What is it Mia Mia?" Nicole asked.
"I need help." Mia said.
Just then a little dark haired 2 year old boy came running in. He was pulling on Nicole's pants leg.
"Hungy." He said, rubbing his tummy.
Nicole groaned. "Okay okay. I will make lunch in a second."
Malachi went into a tantrum. Nicole closed her eyes and sighed. She was thankful she didn't have kids of her own.
Data looked at Geordi. It was always hard to see his expression behind his visor. However, he could tell exactly what his best friend was thinking. They turned back to Nicole who was trying to change the infant while talking calmly to the screaming toddler.
Data took command like he does on the bridge. "Geordi, can you assist Miss Collins with her lesson while I start on making substance."
"Of course." Geordi said, nodding his head. He smiled at Mia as he led her out of the room listening to her questions.
Malachi stopped tantruming and followed Data. Nicole tilted her head like a certain android.
"That was Data." Nicole said, talking to Mackenzie. She came out with blond hair and blue eyes. "He is an android."
Mackenzie just smiled which turned out to be gas. Nicole smiled and rolled her eyes. She was glad to have friends like Data and Geordi to help her out when needed.