Chapter 17 – Star Date 12402.15

"Good morning, Christine. Katie will be along in a moment." Daniel activated the hologram and greeted Christine.

"Nice tattoo Daniel," Christine smirked. "Cultural, I presume?"

"Huh?" Daniel looked confused.

"Put a shirt on, idiot." Katie walked up to him and smacked a t-shirt against his chest. "While I'm sure Chrissy appreciates the view, I don't think she can take you seriously while she views it."

Daniel glared at her and took the shirt, "I'd have one on if SOMEONE hadn't stolen it so she could answer the comm." He slipped it over his head.

Christine shook her head at her sister's antics. "Trust me, Daniel, you are not the only guy who has his shirts stolen by his girlfriend."

"So, Jacob told me." Daniel smirked, "How is he doing?" So soon as the question left his mouth, he realized he had said something wrong.

Christine broke out into tears.

"Katie, I think you need to take this one." Daniel uncomfortably kissed Katie's cheek and retreated out of the room, leaving the two girls alone.

"Chrissy, what's wrong? What happened?" Katie wished she could reach through and hug her sister.

"Jacob, he is gone…."

"Gone? What do you mean 'Gone'?"

"He left," Chrissy said between sobs.

"He left you?" Katie's temper began rising, "That man adored you. Why would he just up and dump you?"

Chrissy rolled her eyes and wiped her face, "Not like that! He took a mission."

"Oh…" Katie was taken aback, "You had me worried there. A man that looks at you the way he did needs his head examined if he just up and dumps you for no reason."

"Thanks, I think." Chrissy wiped her eyes again.

Katie smiled at her sister, "Chrissy, what happened? Are you hurt? Is Brielle?"

"No, no…" Chrissy shook her head. "I'm being ridiculous. Jacob left on a mission two weeks ago, and I haven't heard from him since."

"What was the mission?" Katie tucked her bare legs under her as she listened to her sister.

"Official Orders were that he was sent to Bayor for extensive rehabilitation treatment."

"Yeah, that's a pile of fertilizer." Katie grumbled, "Where is he really?"

"Don't know, and that is what is bothering me."

"As someone who also has a star fleet boyfriend, our guys have to do their jobs and can't always tell us what they are doing," Chrissy began to protest, but Katie held up a hand, "I know you get it. We saw mom face it all the time with dad, but we both know how much mom missed him when he was gone. Still does."

"I've got Brielle and Josh to look after. I shouldn't be …."

"Aching at night wishing that he was next to you? Wake from a nightmare needing him to be there only to find a worse nightmare: he cannot help you fight back at those worrying thoughts."

Chrissy stuck her tongue out, "You are not helping."

"I'm just telling you; you are not the only one facing those moments." Katie playfully teased.

"I'm supposed to be this strong independent woman, and I'm crying over a boy." Chrissy gave her sister a watery smile.

"Sucks, doesn't it?" Katie smirked, "We women would tear out people's throats if someone hurt us, but when it comes to these guys, they have wormed their way into our hearts, and we are not ourselves without them. When they are not there, a part of us is missing."

"And it is the same for us," Daniel walked up behind Katie and wrapped his arms around her. "Trust me, Jacob is missing you and wishing he could be there. It feels like a part of me is ripped away each time I walk out that door." Daniel shrugged, "I got lucky. We returned to base to restock before we head out on our next mission." He leaned down and kissed Katie's cheek, "It may only be for a few days, but I make the most of them."

"And the fact yesterday was valentine's day…." Chrissy teased the couple.

"Made it all the better," Katie glared at her smiling sister.

"And Daniel gave you deep red roses; I take it?" Chrissy continued to tease.

"Cream white ones…." Katie started to say.

"… with red upon the tips." Chrissy rolled her eyes, "Daniel, how long have you been getting tips from Jacob?"

Daniel tipped his head down and blushed.

"Daniel…" Katie looked up at him, playfully annoyed.

Daniel cleared his throat, "Jacob and I occasionally chat, and he assists me when I need it."

"Giving you tips on managing a Skyler girl?" Katie raised her eyebrow at him.

"We face similar situations, and it is good to have a friend who can help me through treacherous waters." Daniel tried to keep an innocent look on his face.

"You have been talking to Jacob." Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Daniel, if you have talked to him..."

"I'm sorry, Christine. I haven't heard from him since late January." He looked back at Katie, "When he recommended the special roses as the deep red ones were special to you and your father."

"He wasn't wrong." Katie conceded, "but that doesn't mean I wouldn't mind a few from you too." She smiled up at him.

"Any way…" Chrissy tried to get their attention back on her. Both blushing, they looked back at her.

"Anyway, Jacob loves you, Chrissy. Miss him and know he misses you just as much if not more." Daniel tried to reassure her.

"If you need to talk, I'm always here for Chrissy." Katie smiled sadly, "I wish I were there to share a tub of ice cream with you."

"Mint Chip?" Chrissy's eyes sparked.

"What else?" Katie smiled back, "For now, go love on those two kids. I'm going to enjoy a romantic breakfast with my guy and know that Jacob most likely wishes he was sharing breakfast with you as well."

"Thanks to you both."

"Anytime," The couple waved and closed the connection.

Christine pulled her legs up to her and hugged them. "I miss you, Jacob. Come home safe to us, wherever you are."