The video panel beeped in Stephen's living room informing him that someone wanted to talk. It's annoying repitition drove him out of the bedroom while still buttoning his dress uniform, which he hated. Box, as always, was getting food from the replicator. He pressed the connect button on the video panel. He was greeted with a pleasant surprise.

The image of Captain Lydia Velasquez filled the screen. She was sitting in an ambulatory chair. Her smile was pleasant and warm. She was wearing civilian clothes and a scarf over her head. From the background, it appeared as though she was on a starship of some kind. Her neurologist was sitting close by. "Good morning, Commander." She said warmly.

"Captain!" Stephen exclaimed. Box came scampering out from the kitchen.

"Hello, Lieutenant Box." she said as he came into the picture.

Reality set in quickly. "Captain, you can see! Thank goodness." His hopes swelled that Lydia would reclaim her position as captain quickly. Perhaps that's why she is on a ship.

"Hhhhhello, Captain." Box replied.

"Yes, Commander I do... sort of. I can see fairly well out of my left eye. My right eye is a bit blurry. The good doctor thinks a few more treatments might improve that. I am also glad to say I have almost fifty percent of my mobility back on my right side."

Kirk looked and felt very much relieved. "Praise the Lord, Captain. That IS good news. I've been keeping your seat warm for you, just as ordered." He said with a wink.

Her smile faded a bit. "I'm proud of you, Commander. You handled yourself and your crew wonderfully."

"I couldn't have done it without you." He responded graciously.

"Commander," she started, "you DID do it without me. You're award today will be well earned. I wish I could be there to see it, but I won't make it in time." Her smile faded completely. "I'm afraid you'll have to get used to that." Her eyes wandered down. She took a deep breath.

Stephen didn't want to hear the words he just heard. "What do you mean, Captain?" He asked slowly... afraid of the answer.

She looked up and stared straight at him. "I mean I'm retiring again, Commander."

His heart sunk. There were precious few people in Starfleet who had shown him any kind of favor. Losing her was like a knife wound to the chest. "But... you could still command... even from a chair..."

"Stephen," her voice was more motherlike than authoritative. "I retired a year ago. They asked me back to help launch the Warlord... and I did, though to a lesser degree than I would have liked. The Starfleet Medical Board has certified me as 'borderline' for returning to active duty. And... to be perfectly honest... I miss my grandchildren. I already informed Starfleet of my intentions, but I wanted you to know before anyone else said anything." She cocked her head and waited for the reality of her statements to set in.

Stephen sat down on his couch with a plop. He had gotten along so well with her. She was like an older version of himself in personality. "Then... I guess there's no way to change your mind?" He asked weakly.

"No, Commander... there isn't." She sighed. Lydia knew his personality well. Her recommendation that he be transferred to the Warlord was a huge shot in his pride. His record had been riddled with minor incidents, but, overall was excellent. Her instincts had proven correct about him, though. Now, though... he'd be forced to fend for himself. Someone else would have to see his potential and not just the criticisms from a few judgementalists.

His mind began replaying their associations. His first meeting with her was over subspace. He was serving as the second officer on the USS Victory when Captain Hearne called him into the prep room. It was there that she and Admiral Leonard first informed him of the new Dreadnaught project. It was there that she informed him that she wanted him as her first officer. It was there that he found out his own captain had recommended him for a promotion. He remembered the first time they met. It was in the docking port of the Warlord. They had to construct a makeshift tunnel to the turbolift because the bottom five levels of the superstructure were still exposed to space. She had given him a surprisingly firm handshake. "We'll certainly miss you, Captain." He said after a long pause.

"Hhhhhhthank you for bringing me aboard." Box added.

"I will certainly miss both of you, too. I'm sorry I didn't get to know you better, Box. Stephen spoke very highly of you. It was based on his recommendation that I asked you to be transferred."

"Hhhhhhe is a good friend and worth superior officer."

"Thanks, Box," Kirk replied sincerely. "Do you have any idea who they're getting to replace you?"

"I've been told they have a short list of candidates... the majority of whom they considered before asking me, so I know you'll be in good hands." Her smile partly returned. "Admiral Leonard said they'll have someone assigned by next week. I'm sure you'll get the official word of this in a day or two."

"Probably." Kirk remarked. "Well, don't lose touch. You went to a lot of trouble to put us all together."

"Absolutely, I will. Expect some kind of communication from me at least once a week. I want to know, first-hand, what the gallant crew of the Warlord has been up to." Her smile widened even more. "And, if you ever find yourself in Mexico or you get a craving for real tamales, stop by and say 'hi.'"

"Will do, Captain." Both Kirk and Box stood at attention and saluted.

Lydia returned the salute as best she could. "Enjoy your ceremony, gentlemen. You've earned it." With that, the video screen faded to black.