It had now been two weeks since Lexie's second run in with her hellish uncle and she was finally back at work, well almost. She was still on light duties and it was set to stay that way for at least another three weeks, which Lexie wasn't too pleased about but she wasn't going to argue with McCoy or Scotty. "Could you pass me that wrench please Delta?" Lexie asked while sticking her arm out, "Sure Lex." Delta quickly found the tool his creator was looking for and handed it to her carefully. "There you go, try not to drop it on your face this time around." Delta heard Lexie giggle before actually replying, "I'll try my best Delta." The pair were working on one of the replicators in the mess hall, which had been acting up recently. Instead of simply materializing the items that the crew asked for, it was launching them at unsuspecting officers and it didn't care who those officers were, since it had thrown a cream pie at McCoy only that morning. Scotty had tried to fix the replicator himself, but it just wasn't playing ball. So he asked Lexie to do it instead before he completely lost the will to live, which his young Engineer was more than happy to do but now, Lexie was wishing she hadn't been so helpful.
"Why can't things ever be simple to fix?" Lexie muttered as she tightened up a bolt, Delta was about to give her a sarcastic answer when Lexie swore a few times. "You alright Lex?" Delta asked as he watched his creator shuffle out from under the replicator, but he burst into laughter when he saw her face. It was covered in bright pink powder, "You look like Kirk did on New Year!" Delta chuckled. Lexie coughed which sent a powder cloud into the air, "Thanks for your concern Delta, I'm fine by the way." "Sorry Lex, I know I shouldn't laugh. You are OK right?" Delta asked quickly. Lexie smiled as she booped him on the nose, "I'm alright bud, it's only sherbet." Lexie replied as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a rag to wipe her face. "I see that the replicator has claimed yet another victim." Said a voice, Lexie turned to see Scotty standing in the door way. "Sadly yes, I can see why you were losing it Scotty." Lexie replied. "Well don't worry too much about fixing it today lass, we can sort it out when we're back at Earth." Scotty chuckled, Lexie just stared at him blinking occasionally. Did she just hear him right?
"Wait? We're heading back to Earth?" It was then when Scotty realised that he hadn't told Lexie about this, "Sorry lass, didn't mean to drop that on you. I was meant to tell you a few days ago, but I forgot as normal." Scotty replied as he rub the back of his neck. "It's alright Scotty, you've got a lot of work going on at the moment. So, why are we heading back to Earth?" Lexie's question seemed to make Scotty a little nervous, "Scotty, what is it?" "The reason we're returning to Earth is that Jim has been called back by Star Fleet, to explain his recent actions." Lexie knew what 'actions' Scotty was referring to. "Please tell me he's not going to get a court martial because of me?" Scotty smiled softly at her as he helped Lexie to her feet, "Don't worry lassie, nothing like that's happening. He's just been asked to explain his actions, which means he is going to have to talk about Kyle." Lexie felt a shiver run down her spine, even knowing that her uncle was dead hearing his name still made her feel uneasy. "That's fine with me, Star Fleet were going to need to know sooner or later." Scotty knew that Star Fleet were unaware of Lexie's horrifying past, so how they were going to react to all this was a complete mystery. "So, now that you know that we're heading back to Earth. Got any plans?" Lexie couldn't believe he had just asked that, she had only just learnt of the ships next destination a matter of seconds ago.
"I think I'll just stay on the ship, some ones got to keep things fixed around here." Scotty just left it there, he wasn't going to force her to make plans. She had been through a lot in the last few weeks, "Fair enough lass, well it's late. Why don't you head off to bed, while I continue to fight with this replicator." Scotty said, Lexie wanted to argue but knew that she wouldn't win. So instead she just nodded, "Sure thing, good luck trying to fix that thing." Lexie gathered up her tools before heading out, she was wiped. After fighting with that replicator for almost four hours, she was ready for a lay down. "Are you really going to stay on the Enterprise when we've arrived back at Earth Lex?" Delta question, "There's no real reason for me to go down to Earth Delta, plus there's so much work to do here." Lexie answered as she pinned in her code to her quarters. When they were in the room, Delta flew over to the desk, while Lexie wandered into the bathroom to change out of her uniform. But as she removed her shirt, she discovered that it was wet and it wasn't water. It was blood, "Not again…" She muttered. Lexie glanced down at her scar to see that it was re-open, only a little but it was still bleeding. With a sigh Lexie reached over and grabbed a roll of bandages to wrap around her stomach, before slipping on a new top. She walked slowly into the main room and smiled softly at Delta, "I'll be back in a bit Delta, I've got to go and see someone." Delta nodded and waved good bye as Lexie left the room.
On her way down the halls Lexie was greeted by several officers, who were very happy to see her. It seemed like the whole ship knew about her being taken and they all seemed to be grateful that she was back, which was a surprise to Lexie. She soon stepped into Sick Bay to be greeted by McCoy, who simply smiled at her. "What brings you down here this late kid?" He asked, Lexie smiled slightly. "I re-opened my scar." McCoy glared at her intensely, "Seriously, again?" Lexie just chuckled nervously. McCoy pointed over to a bed and told Lexie to take a seat, while he went off to grab his equipment. He soon returned holding several pieces of equipment in his hands and began to patch up the Engineers scar, "What's this, the fourth time you've re-opened this now?" "Fifth actually, but who's counting." Joked Lexie. But it seemed that McCoy wasn't laughing, "This ain't a joke kid, you're meant to be on light duties. What the hell have you been doing?" Lexie smiled at him. "I've been taking it easy, I've spent most of today fighting with that dam replicator." McCoy just rolled his eyes as he finished sewing up Lexie's scar, again.
"Well I suggest that when we get to Earth that you take a few days shore leave, away from work to allow for your scar to heal enough so this won't happen again." Lexie just stared at him, was it everyone plan to get her off the ship and back on Earth. "I can't do that McCoy, there's too much to do." "The ship can survive without you for a few days kid." Lexie once again laughed nervously, "I'll have a think about it McCoy, but I can't promise anything." McCoy could have just ordered her to take shore leave, he was her doctor after all but he chose not to. Lexie was more than capable of knowing what was best for herself, she had proven this many times during her service on the Enterprise. "Alright kid, just don't work yourself too hard. Now off you go." Lexie thanked him for patching her up before hurrying out of Sick Bay and back to her quarters. The truth was, ever since Scotty had revealed that the Enterprise was returning to Earth, Lexie had formatted a list of things that she felt compelled to do. All of which no one else would know where she was planning on going since she wasn't going to tell anyone or go with anyone, not even Delta. There were just somethings which were better done alone, "This will be one hell of a shore leave." She muttered to herself as she entered back into her quarters, Delta was now asleep on her desk which made Lexie smile. Walking over to her bed, Lexie threw back the covers and climbed into bed, as soon as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.
The next morning, Lexie planned to go and have a word with Kirk. Mainly about what's going to happen when they get to Earth, she was hoping to find out if she was going to be needed for anything. Lexie had made her way up to the bridge, since she knew Kirk wasn't going to be anywhere else and was slowly walking over to the Command chair. "Morning Lexie, how are you today?" Kirk asked when he saw his young Engineer approaching, "Morning, I'm doing well thanks. If it's possible Sir, could I please talk to you in private?" Kirk nodded. "Of course, Spock you've got the com." The Vulcan took his Captain's place as Kirk walked off the bridge with Lexie. The two of them made their way to the briefing room, where they could talk in private. "So Lexie, what do you wish to talk to me about?" Asked Kirk as he sat down, "Well, Scotty told me yesterday that the Enterprise is heading back to Earth, where you are going to have to explain your recent actions." Lexie answered as she sat down next to her Captain, who just stared at her. "You mean he's only just told you?" "He forgot… as normal." Kirk couldn't help but chuckle, "Fair enough, yeah Star Fleet want me to explain why I disobeyed official orders." Lexie sighed quietly.
"I hope you don't get in trouble because of me, I would hate that." Kirk placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry Lexie, I think Star Fleet will understand why I disobeyed orders and I would do it again in a heartbeat." Kirk's reply made Lexie smile once more. "Thanks Kirk. Am I gonna need to come with you?" "No, you don't have to come with me. Why do you ask?" Lexie's smile slightly faded, "I've got a few things I need to do, but I would prefer if no one knows where I've gone. I need to do these things alone." Kirk found that a bit concerning, but he wasn't going to question her. "Sure thing Lexie, you're free to take shore leave when we get to Earth and I won't tell anyone about this." Lexie was more than a little grateful, "Thanks Kirk." Her Captain smiled at her. "Bones told me that you've been working a bit too much, since you re-opened your scar last night." Lexie laughed, "I've been taking it easy Kirk, I spent most of yesterday fighting with a dam replicator." "You're supposed to be on light duties Lexie, not boxing with replicators." Kirk said as he folded his arms, which made him look like McCoy. "Is there really such a thing as light duties for an Engineer when their on the Enterprise?" Lexie asked, "Of course there is, I just can't think of any at the moment." Kirk answered. Lexie just stared at him, "So basically there isn't an answer." Kirk couldn't really argue with that, mainly since she was basically right.
After talking to Kirk a bit more about what work she had been doing, Lexie returned to her quarters since it was her day off. It was going to be another few days before they reached Earth, so Lexie had plenty of time to pack a bag but she didn't want Delta to see her doing it, he would only ask where she was going. It's not like Lexie wouldn't mind her digital friend coming with her, however she would prefer to spend this shore leave alone, it was probably for the best anyway. When Lexie returned to her quarters she found that Delta wasn't there, which for once she was happy about. She went over to her closet and pulled out a small backpack, before preceding to shove some clothes inside it. Lexie wasn't going on shore leave for long so therefore she didn't need a big case besides, a small backpack is less obvious than a suitcase. It didn't take Lexie long to finish packing her bag, which she hid inside of her closet once more. That was that task done so now all she had to do was to find something else to do, which was easier said than done. Normally on her days off Lexie would sneak down to Engineering to work, but she knew for a fact that McCoy would have told Scotty about what she had done to her scar last night, therefore he wouldn't let her anywhere near Engineering for yet another few days. She knew he would only be doing it because he would be worried about her, since she had been through a lot over the last few weeks.
Lexie then glanced over at her guitar which sat in the corner of her room, "Now then, when was the last time I'd played you?" She questioned while walking over to the instrument. Gently picking it up off its stand, Lexie brushed her fingers against the strings which in turn created a soothing sound. With a smile on her face she walked back over to her bed, where she sat and quietly played a beautiful melody. Lexie got so caught up in playing that she hadn't even realised that she had begun to sing, not to mention that someone was standing at her door. It was only when her guest coughed did Lexie finally noticed them, "Oh, hi Scotty. Sorry, didn't hear you come in." Lexie said with her cheeks blushing. "It's alright lass, sorry shouldn't have just let myself in." Scotty replied, "It's alright Scotty, what's up?" "Just came by to see how you were doing, McCoy told me that you re-opened your scar last night." Lexie nodded as she waved her Commanding officer over. "Yeah don't know how I did it, but it's fine now." Scotty was relieved to hear that as he sat himself down next to her, "That's good then, what song you playing?" Lexie shrugged her shoulders. "I'll be honest, I have no idea." Scotty laughed quietly, "Do you know any Scottish songs?" He asked randomly. Lexie had to think for a moment, then she began to strum out a tune, one which Scotty knew. The two of them sat there and just enjoyed the music.