DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of nor wish to appear to be the owner of FAKE and all related merchandise thereof.

WARNINGS: Formal Diana. Calmer J.J. With sprinklings of Lime here and there. The chapter(s) with Lemon will be labeled. This warning applies to the entire story not just this chapter!

Dee wasn't surprised, but he smiled big and laughed when everyone jumped out of various hiding places on the Bridge. Dee figured they had planned something for his going away, none the less it was still a cute sight seeing his Commander jump out from behind the captain's chair. His eyes sought out Ryo and he was pleased to see the blond smiling at him.

Dee walked to the center of the room and smiling said, " Thanks guys this is really great!"

J.J. came bounding over and pouncing on the Lieutenant gave him a huge bear hug and laughing asked, " Did we surprise you! Huh? We did didn't we!"

Dee struggled to dislodge the smaller man, but J.J. was a lot stronger than he looked, "Yeah, you got me good."

" Liar," Diana walked up and punched him in the shoulder playfully, " You knew we wouldn't let you go without something!"

Dee laughed, " So...where's the food?"

The food was in the break room, a honey glazed ham in the center of the table along with a smoked turkey breast. There was stuffing, green beans, and various other sides. There were three desserts: a pecan pie, an apple pie, and a large butter cream sheet cake in white and pale green with the dates of Dee's service on the 'Glorious' on it. It was quite a lovely spread. Ryo and J.J. had cooked most of it while Diana and Bikky decorated the room. There were Farewell signs and Good Luck banners, balloons and streamers. There was confetti on the floor and on the table.

Dee was overcome with emotion as he stepped into the room, he smiled meekly then spoke, " I'm not leaving for good you guys."

Everyone laughed and Bikky walked over to stand beside Dee, " We know. We just wanted to make it special for you. You know," Bikky looked down suddenly shy, " so you'll remember us."

Dee smiled down at the teen, " Like I could ever forget your bratty ass!"

Bikky looked up scowling about to open his mouth to say something in retort, but was cut off by J.J., " I cooked most of it! Well, the potato salad was store bought and so was the pecan and apple pies, but everything else I cooked! I mean, Maclean helped a little, he cooked the ham and the turkey, but yeah I did everything else!"

Dee's eyebrows rose, " Soooo...you heated up the green beans, basically?"

Bikky let out a riotous laugh at that, resulting in a glare from J.J. It didn't stop him though and he laughed until his eyes watered, " Dude, you just got slammed!" J.J. pouted and turned his back to the teen, his arms crossed at his chest.

Two sharp clasps and Diana was standing at the foot of the table, " Come on guys let's eat," her voice became somewhat sullen, " We don't have much time..."

The room grew silent then, every person thinking about the days ahead and having to spend them without their Lieutenant. Bikky was the one to break the silence, " Alright! I'm first!"

" Bikky, no!" Ryo admonished the boy, " Let the guest of honor go first."

Bikky grumbled something under his breath and handed his plate over to Dee who grinned playfully and ruffled the boy's hair. Bikky jerked back and stood beside Ryo.

The going away party had a light feel and it seemed like everyone was forgetting the reason why they were having it in the first place. There was laughter and joking and even a little bonding between Bikky and Dee. Not much, just enough to let Dee know that the teen didn't hate him. All too soon, though, it was time for goodbyes.

" The 'Stetson' will be here in about an hour," Diana's voice was chipper as she clasped her hands together, " so I think we better give you your gift now!"

Dee watched as the Commander left the room only to return a few minutes later holding what appeared to be a large sweater box. The box was a shiny tan with a huge navy organza bow on top.

" This is from the entire crew!" Diana beamed as she handed over the box. Dee sat the soda down he was drinking looking at the gift with awe. He took it gingerly and placing it on the edge of the table opened it carefully. The first thing to be seen was an eight by ten of the crew. Even though the 'Glorious' had hundreds working on her the picture was just of the Bridge crew, Drake, J.J., Ryo, Cassidy who worked at the Informations station, Lars who worked at the Communications station, Diana, and even Bikky.

Dee smiled at the picture before setting it aside and pulling out another item from the box. This was wrapped in layers of navy tissue paper and it took both hands to pull it from the box. Dee sat it down and started to unwrap it. J.J. was looking over Bikky's shoulder smiling while Diana leaned on the doorframe expectantly. Finally the tissue was off an Dee looked down at a long sleeve shirt with a maroon center and black arms.

Dee smiled slightly, not fully understanding why the crew gave him clothes, " Uh, thanks you guys...this is really..." he held the shirt up by the shoulders, " sweet?"

Diana laughed softly, but Ryo was the one to explain, " It is the top to the new uniforms Lieutenant."

" I have the rest of it in my quarters," Diana spoke pushing herself off of the doorframe, "The crew of all the ships that are going into battle first received them already. I had them send yours here so you can step onto the 'Stetson' already looking like one of the crew," she smiled at him.

Dee's face lit up like a child's on Christmas morning, " Wow, that is so...thanks!"

" Come on, let's go to my room and we will get the rest of the uniform," Diana and Dee turned to leave the break room, " You have less than an hour to get ready."

The entire Bridge crew was standing outside 'Glorious' mingling with one another and Cassidy had the courage to walk up to the Lieutenant of the 'Stetson'. Now she and Lieutenant were engaged in conversation. Commander Spacey was speaking with Commander Reynolds, laughing at a few of their memories. Finally Dee stepped off of 'Glorious' wearing the new dress uniform. He looked regal as the cape fluttered behind him in the breeze and the dark colors made his green eyes shine more brightly. Ryo felt proud and he thought Dee looked incredibly handsome. Dee had a small grin on his face when Diana placed her hand on his right shoulder and squeezed.

" We will miss you Lieutenant..." her voice trailed off and she looked away.

Dee smiled at the crew, " I will be back guys, don't look so glum!" he let out a laugh that lifted the sprits some.

Leslie Reynolds walked up to stand beside Dee, his gray eyes twinkling, " Welcome back Lieutenant Laytner," Dee smiled at the older man and shook his hand, " I will let you say your good byes," The Commander and the Second in Command of the 'Stetson' turned gracefully and returned to their ship.

Dee made his rounds, hugging, shaking hands and smiling at his comrades. Diana was last, giving him a long strong hug and a peck on the cheek, " You be careful now, ya hear."

Then Diana clapped twice then addressed her crew, " Alright everyone back inside. We've held up Lieutenant Laytner enough," she waited until most of the crew was inside before calling to Ryo, " Ensign Maclean, I need you to check the engine output and give me a report on the energy levels."

Ryo nodded, " Will do Ma'am."

As Ryo made his way to the bow of the vessel Diana looked over at Dee and nudged her head, indicating that she gave Ryo the task so they could speak alone. Dee smile his thanks then made his way over to Ryo's side.

" Don't bother, it is a bullshit order," Dee had stuffed his hands into the pockets of his crisp uniform.

Ryo looked up annoyed, " The day I make the assumption that an order is other than true is the day I lose my rank."

Dee chuckled, " Well then can you do that after we talk?"

Ryo turned fully to face Dee, " Okay, sure."

" I mean," Dee rubbed the back of his neck, " we didn't get a chance to talk after last night..."

" Yeah," Ryo looked down, a slight blush coloring his cheeks, " With the party and you having to get ready..."

Dee smiled then reaching over he took Ryo's face in his hands and waited until blond was looking at him, " I hope you don't regret it."

" I don't," Ryo smiled back, an open expression of trust that took Dee's breath away.

" Good," Dee leaned forward until their foreheads were touching, " I am gonna miss you, but I will call in every week to tell you how I am."

Ryo nodded with a roll of the eyes, " Sure that will work for about the first month or so!"

" Nuh uh," Dee released Ryo then held up is right hand Boy Scouts honor style, " I promise!"

Ryo laughed, " You need to go," he placed his palms on Dee's chest and pushed him back.

Dee grabbed Ryo's wrist and jerked him forward. He stopped just a few inches from Dee's lips. They looked at each other silently for a moment before both men leaned in simultaneously and kissed one another.

Finally parting Ryo whispered, " Go, before the crew worries..."

" I'll be back," Dee released Ryo and smiled before turning away, walking toward the 'Stetson'. Ryo sighed then looking away, bent to complete his task.

Diana was in her office trying her hardest to remain professional, but the Admiral on her vid phone was testing her patience.

" I said no already Commander Spacey," The much older woman in navy and gold spoke, " I understand your position, but we can't afford another mistake. It is unacceptable that no one, prior to Ensign Maclean, on your ship knew how to land her. Furthermore, it is a disgrace that you as Commander did not know the abilities of your crew members."

Diana took a deep breath, " I understand–" she was cut off.

" Do you!" the Admiral's face grew stern and her eyes narrowed slightly, " Just be glad you are allowed to stay on your ship. Be glad we didn't demote you."

Diana nodded and knowing she had lost the battle tried to regain some of her dignity, " I truly understand. You have my sincerest apology for my confrontation."

The Admiral waved her hand, " Accepted. You are a good Commander, but you have to understand that to ignore this would be dangerous. That is why I am taking this opportunity, while Lieutenant Laytner is away, to bring in another member. Someone to help you weed out the...weak links," the older woman smiled, " Don't bother about disputing this. The new crew member will be at your ship in the morning. You have this time to prepare your crew on the changes."

The connection was broken before Diana Spacey had a chance to respond.

" Dammit!" Diana was out of her seat and at her personal bar and it was only after two quick glasses of Scotch did she call all hands to the briefing hall.

The crew stood anxiously on the Bridge waiting for the new crew member to board. Soon the doors slid open and a tall man stepped onto the ramp and made his way down to stand next to the Navigations helm.

Everyone had some sort of expression on their face. Shock, disappointment, disbelief, and a little fear. Diana's expression was the easiest to read, her anger radiated from beneath her eyes and manifested in the tightening of her jaw.

She spoke through clenched teeth, " Is this some kind of sick joke?"

Berkley Rose chuckled, " Not in any way, shape, or form."

J.J. was in shock and his lips parted and hung until he found the courage to speak, "...But you are a Senator."

" True, however, they know that I will be objective about my task here," Rose still had a small smile tugging at his lips, " I will be fair and neutral in my decisions."

" Bull shit!" Drake spat out the words, but Rose chose to ignore them.

Diana was shaking her head almost violently now, " No, I will not have you working for me!"

" Good, because I won't be working for you," Berkley's features darkened somewhat and some of the crew stepped back in reaction to it, " You mustn't forget that I was on a ship long before I ever became Senator," a smirk and a glint in his eye, " The rank of my departure was returned to me the moment I took this assignment. You in fact, Commander Spacey, will be working for me."

Berkley turned his attentions to the crew, " From now on I am in charge of this ship and you will address me as Captain Rose. Questions and orders will be answered with a 'Yes Sir' or 'No Sir'. Any complaints about working with me can be taken up with the Federation, although I doubt they will listen, let alone care," at this he let out a laugh that made the others cringe.

" This is unbelievable..." Drake was whispering under his breath. Diana had taken his hand and was squeezing it, swaying a bit beside him.

" Oh, yes, and before I forget, " Rose turned fully and walking up to Ryo stood just inches in front of him, " You Ensign Maclean, will meet me in my office in five minutes. And yes, it is the same as the Commander's old one. I am taking that as my office," he turned his head and looked at Diana, " You need to come in there and remove your junk as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in all of it being trashed."

Diana was seething, however, for the sake of crew she spoke, " Yes Sir," then turning she made her way off the Bridge and toward her old office, ignoring the triumphant laugher of Berkley Rose.