Stardate 12311.07- Starbase 71- Docking Ring-
"Skyler!" The chief resident, Doctor Moshe Haas, shouted across the bay. "We have an incoming VIP. They have requested a medical officer to be on hand when they disembark."
Christine sighed. She wasn't the lowest ranking doctor on call, but she was the only one not currently working with a patient. "Let me grab my kit, and I'll head that way."
"Might want to get a wiggle on Skyler. Someone might have a scratch." Haas remarked cuttingly.
Christine glared at him as she took her kit from the replicator and left sick bay. Haas had been a thorn in Christine's side since she came back from leave. He was always trying to get her to react, and she wouldn't let him.
"Con officer to Lt. Comander Holtz."
Jacob tapped his communicator as he wiped the water from his face, "Holtz."
"We have a dignitary incoming. Captain Linkovich has requested your presence to assist with the welcome. Their ETA is 15 minutes at docking bay 7."
"Understood." Jacob grabbed his bag from his locker. "Formal or standard?"
"Standard, just don't be late. Con officer out."
Jacob looked over where Ember was lying, "I better get changed. It may not be formal, but I doubt swimwear would be appropriate." Jacob chuckled as he quickly changed into his duty uniform.
Fifteen minutes later, Jacob shuffled his way to docking bay 7. Captain Newton Linkovich, the station commander, met him. "Reporting as ordered, sir." Jacob straightened as he reported. In his rush, his leg was cramping, but there was little he could do about it. He hadn't had a chance to stretch after his workout, and then running up here wasn't doing him any favors.
"I apologize for pulling you out of your therapy session, Lieutenant Commander, but I needed your specialized assistance."
"This is what I am here for, sir." Jacob put on his business face and took his place.
A moment later, Christine came jogging up to the delegation. " Sir," Christine's eyes flicked to Jacob and Captain Linkovich. "Ensign Skyler, reporting as ordered."
"Thank you, doctor, at ease."
Christine looked to Jacob, "I was told that a doctor was needed."
"I assure you your skills are not needed for the commander." Captain Linkovic chuckled. "You were needed for our guests." He turned toward the door as it opened.
"Daddy!" Josh came running through and tackled Jacob. Without thinking, Jacob dropped his cane and went to his good knee to wrap his son in his arms.
"I think he missed you." Another voice came from the door.
"Daddy!" Christine awkwardly blurted out in reaction to the voice before her head snapped back into reality and she snapped to attention. "I mean, it's nice to see you, Admiral."
"Hey, sweet pea." Richard walked up to the group, holding Lynn's hand as he did so.
Jacob carefully stood back up, holding Josh to his side. "I take it Vice-Admiral Skyler is the dignitary we are supposed to meet?"
"Yes, Vice-Admiral Skyler is visiting the station for a couple of days before taking his trainee crew out to the proving grounds. So I am assigning you, Lt. Commander Holtz, to be my liaison with the Admiral. As our former station commander, I want to ensure he and his lovely wife are
well taken care of." Captain Linkovic turned to Christine, "Ensign Skyler, you are relieved of duty until 6 PM this evening when you and your family are to attend a ceremony as my guests. Dress uniforms are required."
"I just got Josh back, sir …."
"When I said Ensign Skyler's family, I meant you and your son as well, commander." Captain Linkovic chuckled.
"Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome. Are the arrangements that I requested set up on your end, Admiral?"
"Captain Turner is standing by and waiting for your call." Replied Skyler.
"Splendid. I shall see you all soon. But for now, I have a business to attend to, if you'll excuse me, sir."
Skyler nodded as Linkovic and his Adjutant dismissed themselves, leaving the rest of the group to wonder what was going on. Soon as he was out of sight, Christine jumped into her father's arms. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here ensuring that Josh is properly transported to his father, as he now has full custody of Josh." Lynn hugged her daughter when Christine let go of her father.
"The Haida provided the transportation as we were heading to the proving grounds with my latest group of cadets."
"I thought I would check in on the Sector Commander for child welfare since I was here anyway." Lynn smiled and shrugged.
"In other words, catching up with aunt Julie." Christine laughed.
"For now," Richard looked to Jacob and Josh. "I see we are missing one member of the family."
"Can we see Brielle now?" Josh looked up at Jacob and Christine, pleading.
"Classes are nearly over, and I'm sure she would love to give you welcome back hugs, Joshie." Christine mussed the little boy's hair. She noted how Jacob couldn't stop smiling.
"Yay!" Josh started down the walkway leaving the adults chuckling.
Jacob personally thanked the couple. "Thank you for bringing Josh to me."
"Just another excuse to spoil a grandchild, Jacob." Lynn teased.
Jacob and Christine blushed.
"Come on! I want to see Brielle!" Josh called back to them.
"Shall we?" Jacob offered his arm to Christine. Shaking her head, Christine took his arm and followed after Josh.
"I gave you the top bunk." Brielle let Josh into their share bedroom.
"You have a nice place here," Lynn commented as she sat on the couch next to her husband.
"Thank you." Jacob set his cane on the dining table and raised the support on his brace. "We are still getting used to sharing spaces, but it works for us." Jacob chuckled at the sounds of the children in the other room. "Now we shall see how those two manage to share space."
"They can do no worse than what Katie and I did." Christine chuckled as she went into their small kitchen. "Can we get you anything? We haven't had many opportunities to entertain since we returned."
"Cup of tea would be nice," Lynn said and then turned her attention to Jacob. "You seem to be moving better."
"Jacob leaned back on the table, crossed his arms, and shrugged, "I've gotten to the point I can walk around the house with just my brace, but I'm not back to full speed just yet."
"Though it hasn't been due to lack of trying." Christine playfully scolded as she handed her mum her cup of tea.
"Commander, you aren't pushing yourself too hard, are you?" Lynn raised an eyebrow.
Jacob tucked his head and laughed, "The one time I tried, Christine carefully reminded me by finding all the sore spots my foolhardiness caused."
They all laughed.
"Honestly, we had not expected Josh to be home so soon. Alder said it could be several weeks before Sava could transport him here." Christine came over to stand next to Jacob with her cup of tea. Jacob unconsciously wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Would we were in the neighborhood work for an answer?" Richard replied.
Jacob considered the couple, "Normally it would, but you would be lying." Jacob straightened up. "Why is he here earlier? Not that I'm complaining at all, but what happened?"
Lynn gave Richard a "well.." look, sat her tea on the coffee table, and looked directly at the couple. "Given the problems Sava had during the custody turnover, it was suggested that additional security and speed be used to get Josh to you as soon as possible."
"What happened?" Christine tightened her grip on Jacob's arm.
Richard gestured for Lynn to continue, "Julie didn't want to turn over Josh and took measures to hide him from Sava and the court."
"She didn't hurt him, did she?" Jacob couldn't keep the growl out of his voice.
"No, she didn't hurt him." Lynn reassured him, "She took Josh to her mother, Elizabeth. By the way, you may be getting an apology letter from her. The court was not the only people Julie had been lying to."
"Obviously, he made his way to you." Christine tried to have Jacob see the bright side.
"Sava accepted our invitation to transport her and Josh to Starbase 71. I was taking my cadets to the training grounds in a week anyway. So we left a little early to give them some leave on the station and time for the two of us to deliver Josh to your welcoming arms."
"Thank you," Jacob squeezed Christine's hand, "Thank you both for your support."
"You are welcome," Lynn smiled. "And you won't have to worry about Julie for a while. She has a long road after her confinement if she wants to earn the chance to see Josh again."
"That is a bit comforting." Jacob looked down into Christine's eyes and hugged her tighter to him. Then, clearing his throat, Jacob changed the subject, "Any idea what this thing tonight is about?"
"No idea," Richard stood, kissed Lynn's cheek, and took her empty tea cup to the recycler. "I assume it is some welcoming dinner or other such rot. It is what I would do."
Christine sighed, "So, another day in wonderland."
"Provided no white rabbits show up between now and then." Lynn went over and hugged the couple.
"Care to explain what all that was about, Admiral?" Jacob looked between the Skylers.
"If you hang around with this family long enough, you will figure it out." Richard kissed Christine's cheek and took Lynn's hand. "We will leave you four alone until tonight. I'm sure you want to catch up with the kids, not the two of us."
"Then we will see you tonight." Jacob shook Richard's free hand and gave Lynn a peck in thanks.
The Skylers waved as they left. Once the door closed, Jacob turned to Christine, "Dare I ask what that white rabbit comment was about?"
Christine gave him a sad look, "Just know that if you hear any of the Skylers or the Scott's say White Rabbit…." Christine leaned up and kissed him. "That your family needs you." She patted his cheek and went towards the kids' bedroom.
Jacob watched her go for a minute, unsure how to take her comment. Then, putting it aside, he followed behind Christine. Now was not the time to dwell on those thoughts; he had his son back in his arms. That is what mattered.
