16:30 Hours – Star Base 71- Family Quarters UTC-2053

"Christine, what is going on?" Jacob jogged into the quarters with Ember on his heels. "I just got out of my meeting. What happened? The message said Josh was hurt."

Christine met him halfway. "Josh is fine now. I've got his hand in a brace, so he doesn't use his fingers."

"What the hell happened Christine?" Jacob ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Josh got into a fight."

"With whom?"

"Robbie. He verbally attacked Brielle, and Josh took offence."

Jacob stood there in shock. "Josh did what?"

"Your son has a nasty left hook, and Robbie a hard head." Christine pursed her lips and crossed her arms.

"Josh hit him!"

"Per the security camera footage, Josh did the first swing. Robbie swung wildly twice, and Josh blocked him before landing a solid left cross knocking Robbie to the ground, where he hit his head on the floor getting a mild concussion."

For a brief moment, Jacob was impressed, but his brain caught up with the fact his son had seriously hurt someone. "What was the damage?"

"Josh broke three fingers on his left hand. I was able to set, knit, and get him into a brace. Robbie is spending the night in the Pediatric ward for observation. His mother, Daniela Greellen, is already raising a fuss about how her son was viciously attacked by your unhinged son." Christine rolled her eyes. Jacob's eyes flashed, and Christine laid a calming hand on his chest. "Josh is suspended for three days. I'm working the overnight trauma shift so that I can keep an eye on him, and I'm not to be in Pediatrics while Robbie or his mother are in the ward. Josh is to attend afterschool counseling session twice a week for the next month."

"What about Robbie? He has been a problem for months." Jacob asked annoyed.

"He is being delt with."

Jacob harrumphed. "Heard that before."

"Jacob, we are not to know the punishment of other students, but they could say that because Robbie also threw punches he is also suspended. And given why Josh lost it on him, the school counselor demanded that she speak with both Mr. and Mrs. Greellen."

"Will it do any good?" Jacob stalked his way over to the couch and sat down. "Mrs. Greellen is good at throwing her weight around."

"Given the number of incidents Robbie has racked up with various teachers and students, her credibility is sorely lacking." Christine came over and sat next to him, "It wouldn't surprise me if a case study was opened into Robbie's home life by the children's welfare office. This many behavioral reports, something must be going on at home." Christine gave him an innocent smile.

Jacob's eyes narrowed, "Yeah, it would be a surprise."

"Regardless," Christine patted his leg, "We need to deal with the choice Josh made."

"What made him do it?" Joshed ask.

"Robbie hurt his sister." Christine gave him a knowing smirk.

"Robbie hurt Brielle?" Jacob's eyes went wide. "Is she alright?"

"While I took care of Josh, Bennu is picking her up." Christine reassured him, "Robbie didn't lay a finger on her, but rubbed Breezer's nose in the fact she is an orphan."

"First thought, the kid got off easy." Jacob held up a hand to stop Christine from interrupting, "However, violence was not the answer."

"And Josh knows that." Christine leaned over and kissed Jacob's cheek. "He has been protective of Brielle since he realized that we are the only family she has. Anyone that wants to hurt her must go through him first. A trait he takes after someone I know." She gently teased him.

"Yeah, well..." Jacob sighed and wiped his face. "I should go talk to him."

"Take Ember with you. She can help." Christine rubbed the happy dog's ears.

Jacob pushed himself to his feet, and started towards the kids bedroom. He was halted in his tracks when Bennu's concerned came over the com.

"Tokh to Lieutenant Skyler."

Christine looked to Jacob and shrugged, "Skyler here, what's up Bennu?" Christine asked concerned. With one look at the chronometer, she realized that she and Brielle should have been back 15 minutes ago.

"Lieutenant, when classes ended today, Brielle slipped into a group of kids that were walking home. Since then, she has been evading the station's detection systems. We can't seem to find her. Any insight that you may have would be appreciated." Bennu said trying to keep her emotions under control.

Christine turned to Jacob. "You take Josh. I'll take Brielle." Christine gave him a quick kiss and headed out the door to the quarters before Jacob could say anything.

Now out in the corridor, Christine responded to Bennu, "I have an idea. Meet me at the rose garden in 5 minutes. Skyler out."

"Christine, I'm…" Bennu started to apologize but Christine cut her off.

"It's ok. It's not the first time a Skyler kid has gone on a walk about." Christine assured her. "Jacob is with Josh. Let's focus on finding Brielle."

"Agreed." Bennu nodded, "What makes you think she is here?"

"While Jacob was gone, I would bring the kids here." Christine entered the garden with Bennu right behind her, "I told them, when I was little, I would come here to think. I showed Brielle my favorite thinking spot and told her if she ever needed it. She could use it."

"Wouldn't she appear on the sensors?" Bennu asked.

"Not necessarily," Christine cocked her head as she looked around. "If she is where I think she is," Christine started down a path toward a large curtain of roses in a flower bed. "Between the stones surrounding it, and amount of flora, a simple security sweep would not detect anyone there."

"That's a problem for security Christine." Bennu said annoyed.

"Station security knows about it, and frequently scans it with deeper scans to prevent nefarious people from using it." Christine stopped at the flower bed, and moved some leaves off a small stone. "It was originally only for the Station Commander's use, but most don't even bother with it."

Christine smiled, stepped on the stone in the flower bed, and tapped a decorative stone showing a lily, then a rose, then a white cloud. "The secret garden of Lily Rose Skyler". She again pointed at the stones she touched as a small door opened behind the curtain of roses.

"You stay here, I'll be back in a minute." She said as she took a deep breath and went through the door. Sure enough, much to her suspicions, she found Brielle in the swing with her head in her hands, sobbing.

"It's okay, sweetheart." Christine slowly approached.

"H-H-How did you know that I was here?" Brielle asked through her sobs.

Christine carefully came over to stand next to the little girl. "Do you think you're the first person to use this as a secret hideout?" Christine playfully rubbed her fingers through Brielle's curls. I used to do it all the time when I was little. Come to think of I think Grandma Lynn and Skyler would hide in here from time to time."

"Are you mad at me?" Brielle wiped her eyes and looked to Christine.

Christine smiled and wrapped a lock of Brielle's hair around her index finger, "Not mad, a bit annoyed that you ran away from school not telling anyone where you were going, but I do understand."

"I got Josh in trouble." Brielle hiccupped, "And now he probably doesn't want to see me again…" She began crying again.

"Josh got himself in trouble. Not you." Christine tipped Brielle's chin up with her finger.

"But..."

"No buts." Christine said firmly, meeting Brielle's eyes, "Josh made the decision to throw the punch. He will face the consequences."

"He did it because of me."

"He felt he needed to protect you. How he went about doing that, is what his dad and I disagree with." Christine moved to wrap her arm around Brielle.

"Robbie said I didn't have a family. He hurt my feelings." Brielle leaned into Christine's cuddle.

"He is wrong. Very wrong, you have a large family." Christine hugged the little girl.

"But they are not my real family." Brielle said dejectedly.

"Who says they are not?"

"Robbie said that since you adopted me, you aren't really my mom, and Lynn and Skyler are not my grandma and grandpa."

Christine stiffened slightly, "Did I give birth to you? No. Am I there for your dance recitals, make you breakfast? Do your hair? And give you hugs and kisses when ever you want them? Yes." Christine leaned over and kissed Brielle's cheek, "I chose to be your mom because I wanted to be your mom. I wanted to be your family. Skyler and Lynn want to be your grandma and grandpa. Katie wants to be your crazy aunt. You haven't met your uncle Jack and aunt Grace yet, but they see you as their niece. It doesn't matter if by blood or not. They love you."

By now Brielle was crying again, but this time they were happy tears. "What about Josh? Robbie says he isn't my brother. You and Jacob aren't married."

Christine tipped her head back and forth, "This is true, but who says we won't be married?"

Brielle smiled. "You want to marry him?"

"I do Breezer, very much." Christine bopped her nose. "Is that alright?"

"I want him to be my dad, Chrissy." Brielle beamed. "And Josh my brother."

"He is your chosen brother. And expect him to protect you like any other older brother." Christine playfully warned.

"I can take care of myself." Brielle said stubbornly.

"I know you can." Christine hugged her, "That doesn't mean he won't try to help. He does it because he loves you." Brielle nodded and leaned over into Christine's arms. They stayed like that for while before Christine kissed her temple and asked her, "Ready to go home. I think tonight warrants some chocolate ice cream."

"Yeah," Brielle let Christine help her down. They walked hand and hand back to the hidden door. When they were through, Brielle came face to face with the scowling Bennu. "I'm sorry Bennu."

"You scared me sweetie. I thought I lost you." Bennu hugged her. "If you need to come here to think, tell me and I will bring you. Can you do that?"

"I will. I promise." Brielle nodded.

"I'll take her home. Got get yourself some stress relief. Jacob and I can take care of the kids tonight." Christine hugged Bennu and reassured her.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning then." Bennu excused herself.

"No lasting injures Bennu." Christine smirked, knowing Bennu was most likely going to take her energy out on a gym work out bag.

Bennu laughed and waved back.

With a sigh, Christine took Brielle's hand and started back to their quarters. "Come on Breezer. Your Dad and brother are waiting dinner on us. "

16:47 Hours – Star Base 71- Family Quarters UTC-2053

Jacob knocked on the door frame on the kid's room. "Josher, we need to talk."

"Hi Dad." Josh turned to face his father from where he sat on the bed. Ember went over and crawled up next to him. "Mum told you huh?"

For a moment Jacob process that Josh was talking about Christine, not Julie. "She told me that you hit another kid and broke your hand."

"I'm sorry dad, but Robbie hurt Brielle. I had to do something." Josh tried to explain to his Dad.

"Josher, you know better. Fighting won't solve anything." Jacob took the chair from one of the desks, turned it around and faced Josh.

"You fight."

"I fight when I must."

"Robbie hurt Brielle!"

"Did he use his fist or his words?"

Josh bit his lip, "Words."

"And you took it to fists."

Josh looked down and began petting Ember.

"What did he say that you feel he deserved to be hurt?"

"During share time we were talking about each of our families. When it was Brielle's turn, she talked about how she had three grandmas, and wanted to be a dancer like her Aunt Katie."

"All her grandparents like to spoil her. Aunt Katie mentors Brielle on her ballet. All of that is true."

"Robbie said Brielle didn't have any family since she was adopted." Josh looked up at his dad. "The only reason that Lynn, Skyler, and Katie talk to her is because they feel sorry for her."

"Svoloch'!" Jacob let out a curse before reining in his own temper.

"Dad?"

Jacob closed his eyes and shook his head to clear it. "I'm sorry that happened kiddo."

"The teacher sent Robbie to time out, but he thought it was funny to see Brielle cry." Josh gave his father a determined look, "I tried to get him to apologize to Brielle at recess, but he then began saying mean things to me."

"Like what?"

"He told me that Brielle was NOT my sister, but Dad she is my sister. I love her like she is my sister."

"I think of her as you sister." Jacob smile at him. "You called Christine, Mum. Did you mean that?"

Josh shrugged, "She does mum stuff. When Mom can't be there, she is." Josh shuffled uncomfortable. "You and Chrissy act like you are my mom and dad."

"Even when we are very disappointed in you for punching Robbie, even if he did hurt your sister."

"Yeah," Josh rolled his eyes.

Jacob got up and went over to look at the brace Josh had on his hand and arm. "Was neon yellow your idea or your mum's?"

"Mum's." Josh said exasperated. "She said I have to wear it for the rest of the week."

"She is the doctor, mate." Jacob ruffled his hair.

"Jacob! Josh! We are home!" Christine ushered Brielle in the door.

"I see you found her." Jacob walked out and scooped Brielle up into a hug.

"She was hiding in my favorite spot."

"Oh really?" Jacob put her down. "No wonder you smell like roses."

Brielle went over to Josh. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble."

"You didn't. I hit him."

"You are hurt." Brielle pointed at the brace on his hand and arm.

"Broke 3 fingers."

"Josh!" Brielle squacked.

"He hurt you."

"We don't hit!" Brielle's temper got up with him. "We use our words."

"I know," Josh said dejected. "I've lost electronic privelges for two weeks." Brielle grimsed.

"That means you can't share your screen time with him Breezer." Christine commented.

"Fluffnugets." Brielle gave Josh an I'm sorry look.

"Nice try Breezer." Jacob ruffled her hair. "Come on you two lets get washed up for dinner." Jacob shooed the kids toward the referesher, then went over to wrap his arms around Christine. "She going to be ok?"

Christine sighed, "Eventually." She looked up at him and smiled. "She asked me if we could get married so that Josh could really be her brother."

Jacob smirked, and kissed her cheek. "What did you tell her?"

"That I would marry you," Christine pulled the gold chain from around her neck reveling the engagement ring, and his betroval ring, "someday soon."

"Very soon, I hope." Jacob teased.

Christine answered him with a sweet kiss, and tucked the chain back under her shirt.

"Eww, must you do that." Brielle grumbled as she came back into the kitchen area.

"Yes," the both of them said in unison, then laughed.

"How does grasshopper fried rice sound for dinner?" Jacob teased the kids as he went to the replicator.

"Blech! Dad!"

"How does regular chicken fried rice sound, with some egg rolls sound, then?" Christine rolled her eyes, and shot Jacob a playful glare. The kids cheered, and took their place at the table. With a shared nod, the couple knew the kids would be alright.