Tony Ramos was back in engineering now that the majority of the repairs were done. All that remained was to ensure that the shields and warp engines were calibrated. The bulkheads were secure, but the rooms were not the same as before. The labs and work rooms that were affected would have to be moved since the crew was only able to rebuild the structure of the ship. Systems, wiring and just making the rooms livable would take more than they were capable of being parsecs from civilization. The rooms would have to be completely rebuilt once the Sargon returned to a proper repair facility.

It was good to be back working in the actual engineering department. Ramos had seen little of the department recently, having to spend his time overseeing the repair of the ship's structure and systems.

He was feeling as good as he had in weeks. Part of it was because the majority of the work was completed. But a big part of it was that he finally had gotten some sleep and a shower. Now all he had to do was schedule a time with sickbay to get his scars treated so he would again look like himself. Meanwhile, he sat in the chief engineer's office, decorated with mementos from Christopher Mackenzie's career. It wasn't Ramos' office, but as the ranking officer in the engineering department, he used it to get some work done and to have a little privacy.

"Knock, knock," said Malachi.

"Why are you here?" Ramos asked. "You shouldn't have to come here, all you need to do call me and I'll come to you."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you are in command, you need to remember that John. We come to you now."

"Hopefully for not very much longer, besides I needed to get off the bridge for a bit," Malachi said. "How are we doing with repairs?"

"You know, John, we were very lucky. The bulkheads that collapsed were interior bulkheads. If the outer bulkheads collapsed, we probably wouldn't be standing here, or at least, I wouldn't have been."

"I'm sure the 37 crew members that died when they collapsed wouldn't consider themselves lucky."

"True, but when you consider that there could have been hundreds of people in those areas, it was lucky. Of course, many of those who died did so when we had decompression on three decks. Given the stresses we put the ship under, it could have been much worse. Of course, the Klingons didn't help matters much.

"You know, at first I was extremely angry with you."

"With me? What did I do?"

"I thought if we had more shielding, much of damage could have been avoided. But after talking it over with Blattner and checking the ship's records, it was obvious that you were right and probably saved everyone."

"If that were true, then the captain and everyone else would be still alive." Including my wife he thought.

"That's not true," Ramos said. "You were outnumbered and outgunned, fighting battle-hardened commanders. I don't think anyone could have done better. No matter what you would have done, things couldn't have come out better. The number of crew members we lost was amazingly low when you consider the odds we were facing. If you could have made it back to the Starbase, you would have been forced to stand and fight and to defend a lightly armored station. We would have lost the ship for sure. John, you might not realize it, but you are a hero. You need to stand tall."

"I've slept with Chin."

"Yeah, I know. I was one of the officers that planned your sleep. Ghazoul wanted both of you to get some sleep, it was a good opportunity. I know it looked bad, but people will get over it."

"No, Tony, I really slept with Chin."

"Oh. Oh!"

"I didn't plan on it, it just kind of happened. She was there, offering me the chance and I took it."

"Well, no man can blame you, Chin, if you hadn't noticed, is hot."

"That she is, but that's not the issue."

"You feel guilty."

"I feel like I cheated on my wife."

"John, Lisa is dead, so, in reality, you haven't."

"She hasn't been dead for but two weeks. I would have thought I would have waited a little longer before I even thought about sleeping with another woman, much less actually sleeping with one, no matter how hot she is."

"Normally, if you were an accountant whose wife died, I would agree with you, but you are in a totally different situation.

"First of all, immediately after Lisa died, you had no chance to grieve. Right?"

"Maybe."

"No, definitely. Were you even able to think about it? How much time did you get alone? None. You had to work to keep the ship and crew together. You sacrificed your own needs — the need to grieve for your wife and child — for the sake of 400 plus of your shipmates. While you are going make a great captain and admiral in the future, now you are a full lieutenant with little experience, if any, commanding a vessel alone."

"Actually, I have no experience."

"Exactly my point. You have had more stress put on you than most could have handled. So, when the opportunity to sleep with Chin presented itself, it was just the stress relief you needed."

"I guess."

"Listen, there isn't a guy on this ship that could have turned Chin down if she wanted to sleep with them. You are not different in that respect. She's, as I said earlier, hot."

"That she is."

"I bet she's better looking naked."

"I can't argue there."

"So, you're human. But truthfully, didn't you feel better, both physically and mentally, afterwards?"

"I did. But that doesn't make the feeling that I cheated on Lisa go away."

"It might not. But don't be too hard on yourself. Do you intend to sleep with Chin again?"

"I wouldn't mind it. She offered to if I wanted."

"If you do, then that opens up another problem."

"What's that?"

"There's an old saying, 'Men fall in love with women they are sleeping with, women sleep with the men they fall in love with.'"

"What are you saying, Tony?"

"Be careful. If she falls in love with you, it could be a difficult situation. You are her commander. Sleeping with her is like walking through a minefield. There are both personal and professional mines that could blow up in your face."

"I don't think that will be a problem. I'm sure Chin isn't going to get overly attached and we'll be discrete if we continue."

"You're both grown-ups, so I won't tell you want to do, but be careful. Nothing happens in a vacuum. I also think the feeling that you are cheating on Lisa won't go away if you keep on sleeping with Chin. Also, if you continue to sleep with Chin, it will get around and there will be more than a few people who will question why someone who just lost his wife is carrying on an affair with a subordinate. Please think about not only your feelings, but the feelings of Amy and what the crew will think. They all have to be considered."

"Thanks, mother," Malachi said. "I'll be mindful of your sage advice."

"That's what I'm here for," Ramos said with a smile.

"Oh, yeah, one other thing — you're on report."

"What?" Ramos said, the smile dropping off his face. "What for?"

"You and your little cabal drugged your fellow officers. That really isn't sporting, old chum. Put the reason as you were disrespectful to your fellow officer."

"OK, OK, but I would do it again. It was the right thing for you."

"That may be true, but I don't want you to get used to drugging me."

Malachi was surprised how easy it was to put the doctors and orderlies on report. Like Ramos, they willingly accepted it, but all said they still believed they were correct.

While he couldn't condone their actions, he was touched they were willing to break serious regulations for his benefit. He, in turn, didn't put the real reason for their discipline, instead stating that those involved were not properly respectful to their fellow officer.

Scott Blattner saved him the trouble and put himself on report before Malachi even approached him.

There was only one officer left he needed to put on report for the incident — Chin.

He walked by her quarters twice, but there were crew members about and didn't want to be seen walking into her quarters. Malachi had to find reasons to be on that deck, in case someone saw him, they wouldn't have a reason to suspect his motives. He was beginning to feel like a lovesick teenager who was looking for excuses to stop by the home of his crush.

He was going for a third time when the bridge contacted him.

"Mr. Malachi, please call the bridge."

He walked over to the nearest communications station and opened a channel.

"Malachi here, what's the problem?"

"Starfleet is requesting your presence for a message," Lloyd said. "Admiral Spencer is waiting."

"I'll be up there shortly."

Admiral Don Spencer was the admiral whose duty it was to oversee the proper staffing of starships, the appointment of all command officers passed by Spencer before they were approved. While most junior officers wouldn't have the opportunity to meet, much less talk to a four star admiral, Malachi actually knew Spencer.

Spencer was the alumni association president for Malachi's fraternity chapter while Malachi served as president. The two had regular contact Malachi's senior year. Spencer was very active in the affairs of the chapter, acting as a protective grandfather to the active members. There were more than a few times that Spencer would take interest in a member, helping him in his studies, making sure his expenses were going to be covered and providing recreation for members after those stress-filled midterm and final weeks. Malachi and Spencer were in touch at least once a week so that the Admiral would be continuously appraised of how the members were faring. He often met Malachi and Lisa for dinner, so the couple could have better food than Starfleet Academy dished out.

Don Spencer definitely a hands-on kind of guy.

Malachi was teased by his brothers — and many other cadets — as being Spencer's "pet." In reality, Spencer was driving him to work harder, do better, and be the best at the academy. It paid off when Malachi finished second in his class.

After graduation, but before Malachi was assigned to the Sargon, Spencer, as a reward for all his work, lent him his cottage in Hawaii for a week of relaxation. He wasn't even upset when Malachi, Lisa and most of their friends turned it into party central. Malachi wondered if the stains ever came out of the carpet.

He walked on to the bridge and sat in the captain's chair.

"On screen."

The screen switched from the starfield to Admiral Spencer.

"Greetings USS Sargon," Spencer said.

"Thank you and the same to you sir."

"John, I am so sorry about Lisa. She was a fine officer and a lovely lady. I will really miss her and you have my heartfelt condolences."

"Thank you, sir."

"You are probably wondering why I'm calling."

"I was wondering. Where should we pick up our next captain?" Malachi asked.

"Hold on, hold on. First things first. Have you seen any news from Earth?"

"Not really, we've been kind of busy."

"You are a hero. After we received the report from your crew, we made sure the news media knew."

"My crew's report?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Blattner forwarded it to us. It was remarkable. Every member of the crew signed it. You are one remarkable officer. No commander has ever had every member of the crew sign a report outlining their actions. Not even Jim Kirk — which is surprising considering his popularity and talent."

"Really?" Malachi was eyeing Blattner suspiciously.

"Yes. I've forwarded the media reports that are appearing. You are a hero."

I don't feel much like a hero, Malachi thought; a hero would have saved his captain and his wife.

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Your next port of call is Earth."

"Earth? Sir, that's nearly three months away."

"Yes it is. Is the Sargon capable of the journey?"

"Yes, sir, but shouldn't we pick up some officers, a captain perhaps?"

"Nope, you are being promoted. As of this stardate you are promoted to the rank of Commander with the brevet rank of Captain. You will be in command of the Sargon, though it will only be temporary. However, the increase in rank isn't."

"Sir?"

"You were up for a promotion. Captain Rice had recommended you for the promotion to Lt. Commander. After the battle of Starbase 4, it was felt that you deserved the rank of Commander and because of your heroics, the brevet rank of Captain. John, don't look so shocked. You deserve it. I know you are young. How old are you now?"

"I'm 27."

"Exactly. Jim Kirk was a Captain at 29, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility to receive a higher rank at your age. You probably won't drop the brevet in two years, but your ability and talent show you merit this promotion. Enjoy it, Captain."

"Yes, sir."

"After you arrive at Earth, you will transfer to Starfleet Academy to complete your training at the School of Tactics and Command.

"The Sargon will be properly refitted, which should take about a year, so you could be reassigned to the ship."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say 'Yes, sir.'"

"Yes, sir."

"We will be expecting you in about three months. Congratulations on your promotion John."

"Thank you, sir."

"But now that you have a bigger paycheck, I expect some funds to cover the cleaning of my carpets."

"I wasn't the only one responsible for that."

"That's not what I heard."

"I plead the fifth."

"I bet you do. Contact me when you get to Earth, we'll meet for lunch. Spencer out."

The bridge crew broke into applause as Blattner stepped forward with Captain's insignia.

"Here you are, Captain Malachi." Blattner handed the pins to him.

"Thank you, Scott."

Malachi stood there for a moment.

"Congratulations, sir," Lloyd said, the rest of the bridge crew joining him.

"I'm not sure what to say."

"How about giving us an order, Captain," Blattner said. "Captain Malachi — how's it sound?"

"Sounds good," he said. Everyone chuckled. "I wish Lisa was here to see this." His eyes started to water at the thought. "OK, what are you standing around for? We have to get ready to depart to Earth."

"Aye, Captain," Blattner said.

Malachi looked at the insignia in his hand. A voice broke his concentration.

"Captain?" It was Yeoman Brit Smith. Malachi and Smith had an ongoing friendly argument over the merits of their favorite baseball teams.

"Yes, Smith."

"Since Lisa isn't here, may I place the pins?" Smith was Captain Rice's personal yeoman, who looked after many of the Captain's personal needs, such as caring for his uniforms and ensuring the captain's quarters, ready room and conference room were all fully supplied.

"Please and thank you."

Malachi lifted his head up, allowing Smith to pin the insignia to his collar.

"There you go sir; it's in the proper place." With that, Smith snapped to attention and saluted. "Congratulations Captain."

Malachi returned the salute. "Thank you, Smith. Mr. Blattner, you have the conn," he said as he left the bridge.

There was one officer he still needed to put on report.