Hope you are enjoying it. Thanks to Lone Wolf O'Neill for the countless hours he has spent helping me write and edit this. Read and leave a review.

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Deceptions Ch 8 Hell in a Hand Basket

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O'Neill Quarters

Jack come home to a dead quiet house. Everyone was asleep or at least pretending to be. Jack didn't give shit at that moment. He made his way to his bed and climbed in after dropping his clothes to the floor. He lay there a long time thinking about the day and his youngest son in particular. The alarm begins to blare at 0630 but Sam turns it off before Jack reaches it. She is standing down looking at him. "Hey baby," Jack says sitting up.

"Jack," Sam's formal voice indicates she is not over being pissed at him.

"What?" Jack says annoyed the family feud is still raging and now has moved to between him and Sam. He watches her walk over to the closet getting her robe.

"This situation is out of control Jack," Sam announces staring him down. "Last night was surreal. Dinner was fine and then we come home to insanity."

"John was the one who started it. We when talked walking back to our quarters," Jack starts but Sam sharply cuts him off.

"I thought we were on the same page about letting them go," Sam shoots back.

"We were," Jack admits, "but after his tirade how can we let him go down now."

"I don't know what the answer is but John is really mad so expect him to show it," Sam warns tying the robe's belt into a loose knot.

"He'll get over it," Jack says hotly pulling on sweat pants. He has enough on his plate today. Worrying about his son's feelings does not rate high on Jack's priorities.

Sam is just as mad as Jack but for different reasons. "What is the difference between your honor and duty and Kate's," Sam asks.

Jack can see this is a load question. How the fight went from John versus his parents to Jack versus Sam is giving him a headache. "For starters I don't want hippies for kids who see the world through rose colored glasses." Jack can see Sam is getting madder by the minute just as he is. "No, I don't want them to go. Is that what you want to hear? My gut is telling me the Klingons were overly nice. Gorkon's injury was sudden and convenient. I want to trust them I really do but my gut says something is up."

"You have that paranoid feeling so much it is a condition and not a feeling," Sam bites back.

Jack and Sam rarely fight but this is gearing up to be a classic one. After fifteen years of marriage they know how to push each other's buttons. "Now that's not fair!" Jack yells.

"Maybe we should not have come. Maybe this is not the ship for us," Samantha states firmly before walking out of the bedroom. She is angry and looks to take it out on anyone. Jack is just the closest.

"Whoa back up," Jack follows her out. How this went from a no shore leave dispute to regretting joining the Enterprise is making his head spin. "What do you mean this is not the ship for us. This is a great ship with a great captain and crew." Jack follows her to the kitchen table. He sees Ronin and John sitting there watching the drama between their parents play out.

"Come next star base we put in for transfers," Sam announces taking her coffee and moving to a chair. "I know everything you are not saying."

"Then what am I not saying," Jack snaps getting a cup of coffee.

"That in Jim's position you would resign before doing what he is doing," Sam calls him out.

"Okay, yes I would resign but I am not Jim. He is a good captain but trapped between Star Fleet and Kate," Jack tries to keep an even tone in front of the kids.

"You wouldn't be," Sam says hotly.

"No I wouldn't," Jack confirms drinking his coffee.

"So if you are saying that Jim values the ship over his own daughter…his commission over his daughter… I don't think this is a place for us," Sam stares straight ahead as she speaks.

Ronin finally understands what his mom is saying. "We're transferring?"

John's anger ignites again. "Jesus over this? Are you serious dad? You would go that far to keep me from Kate?" John can't believe this is even a topic of conversation.

"No we are not transferring," Jack barks sitting across from Sam so she has to look at him.

"No we are just talking about it," Sam tries to reassure her oldest son patting his hand.

"We are not taking transfers," Jack yells in frustration.

"Because of him," Ronin snaps punching John in the arm hard as he walks to the sink.

"Hey," John punches Ronin back as he passes him.

Sam shoves an arm between the boys breaking up the fight. "If your dad can't trust the Captain it is not the ship I want to be on," she tries to explain it gently.

Jack feels his temper skyrocketing. "I trust the Captain! We are NOT transferring commands."

"I WON'T go," John yells getting up from the table heading back to his room.

"And how soon were you planning to tell us you were transferring dad," Ronin bitches remembering how fast they left Colorado.

Jack has to get things worked out with Sam before he deals with the boys. "All I said was that he is conflicted. Jim is the best commanding officer I have ever had," Jack turns his attention to Sam. "You said you wanted a transfer not me."

"NO you said in the same position you would resign," Sam repeats the conversation as she remembers it.

This is too much for Ronin. "Resign! Now you are resigning? If you resign where are we going Dad," Ronin demands.

"Ronin stay out of this. It is between your mom and me," Jack warns.

"Stay out," Ronin yells. "Why do we all have to pay the price because John is being an asshole because of his girlfriend?"

Jack has to stop this now. Striding over to the boys bedroom Jack knocks on the door demanding John come back out. "What," John snips. "I will not take no for an answer Dad. If I have to pull another Deneb I will," John threatens in an even tone.

Jack is ready to beat some sense into John. "Pull that stunt again and you'll regret it," Jack can barely control the anger in his voice.

"Dude," Ronin grabs John's arm hoping to stop his brother from screwing up any further.

"I already regret talking to you about it this," John fires back.

"John shut up," Ronin yells.

"I do every damn thing you ever ask. I get the grades, I follow the rules, I keep everyone in line," John rants.

"John quiet," Jack's tone becomes low and deadly.

"And yet now you want to treat me like a child," John continues. "Don't expect me to hold up my end of this perfect little family."

"This is your last warning young man," Jack gets into John's space ready to show John how much of a kid he still is. "You're twelve John. Don't make me treat you like you are three." John knows exactly what Jack is getting at. "Sit now," Jack commands pacing in front of John. "You have a choice John. You can go to the ceremony but then you are grounded for a week. No telepresentor, electronics, and bed at 2000 hours or you can stay here, miss it and have that serve as your punishment. You want to be an adult then make an adult choice. You aren't being grounded for your opinions but the way you have spoken to your mom and I. That is why you are being grounded." He levels a heavy stare at John, "But pull another Kate tantrum again and you won't see dirt again until you are 18." Jacks returns to the table and his coffee.

"So we are going?" Ronin asks trying to smooth over the fight.

"Get dressed," Sam says softly answering his question. The boys get up and head for their room as Sam retreats to the master bedroom.

Jack sees Ronin hanging at his bedroom door. "So we're not moving or resigning," he asks quietly.

"No we're not," Jack replies icily finishing his coffee.

Ronin tries to assume the peace keeper role that John usually plays. "I mean dude that came like out of left field, but so did the transfer from Colorado," Ronin says seriously. He back tracks in an attempt to see if he is in trouble or not. "You know I was not a part of that," Ronin signals to their bedroom. "He went all batty by himself."

"Yes Ronin," Jack replies setting his cup on the table. Jack sits quietly for a few minutes before following his wife into the bedroom. "I hate fighting with you," Jack apologizes sitting on the bed. "I have no idea how that even happened. When this is all over we need to sit down and have a long discussion with him."

"Yeah I mean yesterday and this morning is not us," she agrees. Seeing Sam in a bra looking for her duty shirt makes him wish he was going to bed rather than just waking up. "Jack," Sam whispers breathlessly as he attempts to make up. "I am on duty in twenty minutes and you have a shuttle to catch." Sam bites her lip as Jack slowly kisses her neck enjoying his touch but wishing for more.

Jack loves her hair being short. Yes long hair is sexy but short hair is practical. It also gives him free access to her neck which he loves. "We have time. I know for a fact it only takes five minutes to get to engineering from anywhere on the ship," Jack moves from the left side of her neck to the right. "So that gives us five minutes for foreplay, five minutes for sex, five minutes to dress and five minutes to get to work."

Sam turns around to face her husband. Placing her arms around his neck she whispers, "Are you suggesting a quickie?" Jack kisses her long and deep. "Maybe you can come help me depolarize the magnetic variant couplers," she begins to talk tech. She knows it is a huge turn on for Jack. "It is a two person job."

"I have another two person job that is way more fun," Jack says huskily pushing her back on the bed.

"The isotopic flow is off by .64 kilowatts," she teases as he lifts her long legs up to his waist.

She wraps her legs around him so they are completely aligned. "I love it when you talk dirty to me," he runs his hands firmly up her legs until they settle on her hips.

Sam is eager to feel him inside her but rational thoughts begin to take over her arousal. "We don't have time for this," she pants breathlessly as he raises her hips slightly with his strong hands.

"We always have time for this," his voice becomes authoritative as he pulls her hips down hard so he slides in to her. Sam moans as he quickens his pace forcing her to bite back moans and gasps of pleasure. She loves the heady and furious way his body hungrily seeks her and not the control rhythms that making love requires. This is sex pure and simple and she rides it until her body explodes from within. Sure that Sam has reached her climax by the way she is clenched around her, Jack joins her feeling his knees buckle slightly as he releases into her.

"God I love you," she murmurs. Jack sees a shiver run through her body as she experiences the after effects of their frenzied display of love.

"Right back at you baby," he says getting her a towel. Sam wraps the towel around her hips before sitting up.

"Have I mentioned how much I miss our old master bathroom," she teases. Only after these type occasions does she regret leaving Colorado and her attached master bathroom.

"Yeah like every time we do this," he whispers huskily in her ear. "See you in a few hours." Jack kisses her check and leaves her to get ready for work.

"Hey where's mom?" Ronin asks his dad looking around the room.

Jack checks his watch out of habit. "Ten minutes...damn I am still good," Jack thinks about his and Sam's recent encounter. "In our room. She'll be out in a minute."

Sam hears the boys in the other room. She takes one look at her hair in the mirror and knows she can't come out. "Have a great time," Sam yells trying to tame the "sex do" as she and her friends had dubbed the current look she is sporting.

"Or not," Jack amends his statement getting a weird look from Ronin. "John, you coming?" Jack tries to change the topic.

"Yeah," John emerges from the bedroom wearing a mini version of Star Fleet's uniform in command gold. For the first time Jack sees his youngest son not as a kid but as a young man. John misinterprets the look his dad is giving him. "This isn't a dig," John straightens his shirt and puts on his coat. "We decided to wear uniforms to show unity. It was Jo's idea actually. Since we really aren't in Star Fleet we are wearing the color of the rotation we are currently in. Command yellow," John points to his shirt, "security red," he points to Ronin.

Jack does a double take noticing for the first time Ronin is in red. "Cool," Jack nods in approval. "Let's go boys."

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IKS KLOTHOS

Torak confidently stands outside the Klingon shuttle's cockpit. "We are about to bring honor and glory to the Klingon Empire that has not been witnessed since the time of Kahless the Great." All eyes lock on her as she continues to speak. "We are done cowering to these pieces of baktags whose mewling words make them Qa'Hom." Ka'Ak smiles at the thought of the mighty James T. Kirk cowering like a small rabbit facing a wolf. "Remember your smiles and lies," Torak reminds her rebels, "until the signal. Then show them a true Klingon never smiles unless he is vanquishing a foe in battle. To the Empire," Torak yells. The cabin of the shuttle echoes with the pounding of weapons on the floors and battle cries as it touch down on Upsilon Cerberus IV.

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SHUTTLE

Jim stares at the growing image of Upsilon Cerberus IV. From their location he can no longer see the beautiful double red rings that are putting out enough gravitational disturbances to royally screw with communications and sensors. The planet was fascinating. Its surface from space was mainly red, brown, and black smears which from first glance would indicate deserts and little life. As they descend closer, patches of greens and blues show water and plant life abounds.

"Preparing to enter the upper atmosphere," Sulu informs Kirk. The Captain nods as the shuttle buckles slightly going from the emptiness of space to the exosphere of the planet.

"Look at those Kelbonite deposits," Jack whistles standing behind Jim and Sulu. "No wonder why the transporters are useless."

"Hopefully not as useless as this meeting," Jim voices his concerns making corrections in their course as they continue to descend top side. "You think this ceremony is going to fix everything. That we are going to wake up tomorrow and all of us will be friends?"

"No," Sulu says sitting in a shuttle seat. "Every day is a risk out here in the black but some days hold less risk. Some days hold the promise of a new future."

"You going existential on me there Sulu," Jim jokes getting a huge grin out of Jack.

"No sir," Sulu grins, "but what are we doing out here if we aren't willing to take some risks."

Jim sees the same gleam in Sulu's eye that he had when they free jumped to Nero's platform. Although Sulu is generally reserved and his main hobby in botany, the chief helmsman Jim knows yearns for adventure like the rest of his senior staff. "I have no guarantees this won't go south," Jim remarks making a last minute correction to the course.

"Now when has it ever NOT gone south," Jack jokes adjusting his cap.

"Hey you guys mind giving me a minute with Kate?" Jim's words may seem like a question but it is Jim's way of giving commands politely.

Jack claps a hand on Jim's shoulder signaling he will send her up. Sulu and he enter the cramped passenger section of the shuttle catching the tail end of Ronin's story.

"So then my Dad says we are resigning," Ronin recounts the O'Neill family feud. "I am like dude no way and John here goes on about early admission to Star Fleet to get out of this xenophobic family." Jack is not keen on his family's dirty laundry being shared no matter how tight Alpha crew appears to be.

"Resigning," Sulu says softly to Jack. He knew the O'Neill's had internal issues over this but can't believe the discussion went that far.

Jack raises an eyebrow in frustration. "Oh yeah...fun times," he replies dryly. "At one point I think I was joining the Bajoran resistance. My resignations and or transfers were happening so fast I couldn't keep track of them." Sulu tries to stifle a laugh as Ronin continues to detail every inch of their family fight to a captivated pre-teen audience. Bones and Scott are looking around awkwardly trying not to be in the conversation. Just as Jack is about to tell Kate to go to the cockpit he sees the look on her face. Kate looks like she has been back-handed as she listens to the tale. He watches as she leans over to John whispering something in his ear.

"Have you gone space sick," Kate utters shocked hearing about John's behavior. "What in hell would possess you to feed yourself to the sarlacc?"

When Kate is shocked or overwhelmed she tends to revert to the slang from Skyriver. Most of the time the kids have no idea what she is talking about but John gets this reference. The Solo kid's at Christmas had confirmed her tale of Han Solo's rescue from Jabba the Hutt on Tatoonie so they don't doubt it happened anymore. "You did," John whispers back. "Don't you remember the conversation in the turbo where you said, and I quote, "Just tell him you are going."

Kate visibly swallows realizing what John is saying. "Yeah but I did not mean it literally," she defends herself. John gives her a WTF look forcing her to explain further. "Okay we both know that my dad would freak if I said it that way. Dude, why do you think I am grounded so much. I am the one who doesn't think before I open my mouth. You are the one who is always rational and collected. Kirk would kick my ass from here to Benduday….Sunday," she recalculates the days of the week in her head." John shakes his head trying to hide his annoyance with Kate.

"Kate your dad wants you in the cockpit," Jack says taking her seat as she moves to the front of the shuttle.

"Wow," she says breathless watching the planet grow through the shuttle's view port. "God I never get tired of seeing how beautiful things can be from a different angle. It looked so barren and dead from space," she comments sliding into the seat next to him.

Jim uses her comment as a segway to introduce what he needs to tell her. "Katherine, I need you to be ready to use the Force okay. Everything is going to be fine. Dinner went great last night. I have no concerns but just be prepared okay," Jim doesn't make eye contact as he speaks but tries to look natural reading displays. His comments though are out of place.

"Why? Do you think there is going to be an issue?" Kate asks staring at him. "I am not really good anymore with the Force since I stopped practicing. It is always…fuzzy," she tries to explain.

Jim needs to build her confidence. Her ability to sense the emotions and feelings of the Klingon group is the edge he needs. "That's because there is nothing living to grasp onto right?" Jim gives an excuse he hopes is plausible. He can't tell her that the Holocron is what interferes with her connection. "I mean I love her to death but the Enterprise is plastic, metal, and electronics. The Force is life. I know it can be overwhelming sometimes when you connect like on Deneb IV but be open to it just not too open," Jim asks. "You are a smart girl Kate. Use it but don't let it overpower you. We can't have you fainting or showing signs of weakness because you are inundated by whatever you pick up from the Force. We have to present a strong, confident persona down there." Jim can see Kate is hanging on his every word. He can also see that she is beginning to look nervous. "We are going to be fine honey. I would not take you somewhere I thought you would be hurt right," Jim hopes he has not frightened her.

Kate gives him a smile. Jim knows Kate well enough now to know it is her 'I can do this' fake smile. She cracks her neck and settles back in to the seat. "Ommmm Ommmm ommmmm," Kate chants in a deep voice resting her hands on her lap closing her eyes. "Lalalalalalalalala." Jim stares wide eyed at his daughter. Kate opens one eye giving him a huge grin before she bursts out laughing. "You all think we are a bunch of monks sitting on a mountain right. I'm adding to that illusion." Kate laughs even harder seeing a scowl cross his face. "Okay okay I am serious now. Channeling the all might spirit of the universe. Come to me…come to me," she continues to make fun of the Force and Jedi attempting to relax her dad.

Jim shakes his head grinning. "There is something seriously wrong with you," he teases. As he takes a deep breath some stress leaves his body from his laughter.

"Cause I now reside on the USS Crazytown," she pretends like she is confessing a deep secret. "Dad relax okay. Piece of cake here. I got your back. I once attended a conference between the Colicoid Creation Nest and the Uxiol Droid Manufacturing on Hallion. Colicoids are a highly aggressive reptilian species. They were true xenophobes but their economy was based heavily on droid manufacturing. They were having a trade dispute over some licensing thing but the main issue was the Colicoids were cannibals. See they were eating any rep sent by Uxiol…what," Kate sees Kirk looking at her dumbfounded.

"You NOW live on the USS Crazytown," he utters staring at her. "Here is Crazytown? Not the galaxy where reptiles that make robots eat the competition. I swear if I did not know some of it was true, I would think you are a pathological liar or a bad science fiction writer," he laughs.

Kate knows he is joking but tries to hide her annoyance. "My point is," she stresses getting back on topic, "I am more open than you. We have like a billion different species that are in constant contact with each other. The Klingons don't scare me," Kate says confidently. "They are a race of sentient beings with a thin honor code. Nothing more nothing less. They live, eat, breath, and die. If I have to kill one to protect myself or you so be it," Kate informs her father staring at the landscape unfolding in front of her as they land.

Kirk knows Kate is not as confident as she is presenting. Her nervous rambling about back home shows she is not focusing about the upcoming ceremony but her attitude towards killing has to be addressed. "Whoa there Katie bug. Kill one? Do you know what you actually just said? I am not a fan of Klingons but you just don't kill one," he reprimands.

"You do when necessary," Kate continues to look straight ahead. Butterflies are turning in her stomach but she pretends to be tough as nails.

Jim's voice gets a strong paternal tone. "What? No Kate. No you just don't kill at twelve or any age for that matter. You take a life and it is gone. No second chances for you or them. Taking any life from an animal to person means that thing is gone forever." Jim can see Kate is processing every word but he needs to know she is processing it correctly. "Jack, Spock, Sulu, myself…we have all had to do it. You…you don't." Jim's attention is pulled from the conversation with Kate as he prepares to set down on the surface.

"Dad it is going to be okay," Kate pleads trying to calm him down as the shuttles touches the surface. As she left the Enterprise, Kate was able to feel the Force more clearly than she had in a long time; however, it has been a long time since it felt good. She can feel Jim's fear, anxiety, and desperation come off him in waves. It causes her to feel cold and sacred. These feeling are not ones she associates with the crew or her father.

Kate can barely keep up with his longer stride as she follows Kirk to the back of the shuttle. "Rogue lohba Kate (guard Kate)," Jim snaps unclipping the dog from her safety harness. Rogue falls to Kate's side trotting to keep up with her pace. The sun is temporarily blinding as it fills the cabin with natural unfiltered light. Kate stops and breathes in the crisp air. It is a beautiful day with blue skies and a soft breeze. Kate relaxes as the sun hits her face. She loves the feeling of landing on a planet after being in space. Rogue's whine breaks her from her trance.

Kate pats Rogue's head knowing she wants to run free in the meadow. "Joggdu (run)," she commands but the dog remains at her side. "Dad can be such a party pooper," she says annoyed Jim's commands supersede hers. "Come on. Let's go so he can release you. You are getting dog hair all over me." Kate begins walks over to the kids.

"Looks like they are keeping up their end of the deal," Bones indicates the group of six Klingons erecting a small dais. Bones is shocked to see they are placing a Federation flag next to the Klingon one.

"Aye Cap'n an we got this bloody sensor array to back us up," Scotty grunts setting the device next to the shuttle. "Which was a might damn near bloody brilliant piece of engineering if you ask me," the Scottsman fishes for a compliment as Jack checks a side panel.

Jim sees Jack giving Scotty the international shut up signal by running his fingers across his throat. He slowly drops his hand as Jim cocks his head questioningly at him. "Secondary Photonic Deflector Conduit Communication booster thingy," Jack strings several words together mumbling as he stands up.

"Do you even know what you are talking about?" Jim laughs.

"Yes," Jack feigns annoyance with Jim's dig at his intelligence. "Translated it means insurance." Jim exhales loudly. The deal was no weapons but Gorkon would have to be a fool not to have an insurance policy of his own. Jim is glad he doesn't know the details of Jack's insurance policy even though he is ultimately the one to have to answer for it. Hopefully it will not have to be used but between it and Kate, Jim is reasonably sure they are as prepared as possible. Jim swaggers over to the group of kids. He tries to make his walk seem as casual as possible.

"Dad will you release her," Kate motions to a restless Rogue. Jim sees the dog is uncharacteristically on edge. She has not left Kate's side but is whining insistently while she goes from standing to sitting repeatedly. "She just wants to run for a minute."

"Easy girl," Jim reaches down scratching her ear. "Later," he promises before directing his attention to the kids. Jim squares his shoulder as he addresses the group of kids milling around the back of the shuttle. He tries to not snicker at the sight of the six kids dressed in mini Star Fleet uniforms. "Like it Uncle Jim," Joanna says twirling. "We figured that we should match like you guys. Also makes us look more unified. Like a team," she says proudly.

Jim is beyond proud of his crew but needs to keep everyone focused and on task. "Okay I may not be able to transfer you or place you in the Brig but I can do much worse." Jim squares his shoulders assuming his Captainy pose as Kate calls it. "All of you," he points to the kids, "will not move and inch from your parents do you understand me. If there is a problem head for the shuttle," he instructs. All the kids nod at his orders. "If you choose to not follow my commands, peeling potatoes will be the least of your worries. I will have each and every one of you detailing every shuttle, room, and inch of the Enterprise for the next 6 years. Regardless of which one of you that breaks the order…all will pay for it. If you want the perks of being my crew then you need to follow orders like my crew," Jim throws out getting smirks and chuckles. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes Captain," the kids reply in unison except for Ronin who responds with "yeah and so uncool with the potatoes thing Captain." Ronin grins remembering the pounds and pounds of potatoes he and John peeled for weeks following the Deneb II fiasco.

John takes Kate's hand placing it in Jim's. "You tend to be the rule breaker," John jokes. "Let's make sure you don't have us wearing maintenance overalls for the next six years, 'kay Kate." The kids laugh as Kate shoots John a dirty look.

Jim looks at his team. "Let's go make history," Jim states walking towards the Torak and the five other Klingons standing at an erected platform bearing the Klingon and Federation flags.

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DENEVA MINING CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS DENEVA

"Sam," Ashlea Flanigan says knocking on the closed door before entering.

"Yeah Ashlea come in," Sam sits straighter and pretends to put down work. His young twenty-two year old red headed secretary comes into his office plopping down in a chair. Sam really likes her but not for what everyone assumes. What she can't do as a secretary she makes up for in willingness to learn and having an upbeat personality. Many of the other managers at Deneva Mining Corp thought Sam only hired her because of her youth and beauty but Sam saw something more. Her naivety and innocence reaffirms Sam every day why he comes to work. He comes to work to protect people like her. The people who, like Ashlea, that are good, decent human beings trying to make the world a better place. "Whatcha need," Sam smiles glancing at the clock knowing it is 3:30. Every Friday at this time is when she typically beats around the bush to leave early.

"I was wondering if I could take off a few minutes early. I know I did this last week and the week before but I really need to get to the bank before it closes," Ashlea holds her breath hoping Sam will not say no even though he never has. "See I was thinking about getting some work done and need to see the bank about a loan."

Sam snorts a little laugh relaxing for the first time today. He finds it funny the younger generation thinks two and a half hours is only a few minutes early. "Okay first off you do not need any work done Ashlea. You are young and gorgeous. Save the cosmetic surgery for when you are like fifty okay," he jokes in a fatherly tone. "Secondly go hang with your friends. In fact why don't you start taking off at 3:30 on Fridays. It will save the little song and dance we do every week at this time." Ashlea's face lights up briefly before falling.

"Um I can't do that. The other secretaries will be so mad. They tell me all the time that I am pushing my luck. That you have a temper and will on day fire me on the spot," Ashlea confesses leaning forward like she is about to reveal a great secret. "I tell them you are the nicest middle aged man I know. You are a great husband and a perfect father. Maybe if they spent some time with you they would see that too. I have a feeling everyone is scared of you for some reason." Ashlea whispers the last next part as if someone could be listening. "It is none of their business what I do for you which office gossips says more than filing. I see ordering your flowers for Aurelan and making your weekly dinner reservations as just part of my job. My dad's secretary did that for years. Kept my mom happy," she laughs, "which as you know as long as mom is happy everyone is happy."

Sam Kirk's face spreads into a grin so big it actually hurts his cheeks. At thirty four he is hardly middle aged but lets the comment slide. Secondly, Sam does not have the time for an extra-marital affair. He can't believe the one time he sent Ashlea flowers for the birthday sparked that much rumor and innuendo. "Oh Aurelan loved the flowers by the way. Why did I send them again," he jokes. Sam has never spent as much on flowers as he has since he hired Miss. Flanigan. The first floral bill he got shocked him but arriving shocked him more. Aurelan had sent Peter and the boys off to a friend's house for the night and that was one all-nighter Sam did not mind staying up for. The next day Sam gave Ashlea a credit card and instructions to order at will. Even though she hangs up on every fourth comm call and has a filing system with no one can figure out, their relationship works. "Don't worry about the other secretaries. They are old, bitter hags that have no sense of humor. You report to me so go on get out of here," Sam orders picking up his PADD.

"Oh by the way," Ashlea goes into her purse retrieving a small brown paper bag. Sam takes it from her with a questioning look. "Last time Peter was in here he was telling me about wanting the Jeter Montana baseball card. I have been chewing that nasty ass bubble gum for two weeks trying to find it and I did last night. I put all the other cards in the bag also. Maybe there is another one he needs."

Sam is truly touched and amazed that she remembered. Most of the adults only pay attention to their bosses kids to curry favors but Ashlea really listens to people no matter their age or job title. "Thanks Ashlea. He will love it," Sam smiles taking the small brown paper bag.

"Night," she hollers waving a hand over her head leaving the door open. Sam opens the small bag seeing about fifty baseball cards neatly stacked in the bottom off the bag.

"Damn kid must have been chewing gum all night," he says out loud. He tosses the bag on his desk letting his mind wander to Miss. Ashlea Flanigan. She is the sweetest kid with a heart of gold and damn beautiful to boot. Why she would want to change her appearance is beyond him. Sam picks up his PADD and something clicks. "Change your appearance," Sam murmurs as a thought crystallizes in his brain.

"Kowalski," Sam yells seeing his friend pass by his office. Kowalski back tracks and stands at the door unsure if he should enter. It has been eighteen hours now since Jim as landed at his unknown location facing an unknown foe. Without any new leads, Sam Kirk is a powder keg ready to blow. "Compile a list of all known plastic surgeons that have either one have had a large sum of money deposited into their account or two have not shown up for work recently."

"You looking to get work done?" Kowalski asks joking. He is not seeing the connection but Sam has a deadly glint in his eye indicating he is closing his sights on a target. Kowalski enter the office closing the door behind him.

"Gorkon is alive," Sam announces turning on the sound dampener, "and if he is on Kronos then who the hell is with Jim." Kowalski doesn't need any more information to reach the same conclusion as Sam. There are two Gorkon's in the universe and one is up to no good. "And when you find the money trail get me everything on the banker managing the account. Maybe Deneva Mining Corporation will need to open a new account."

"On it," Kowalski replies leaving Sam's office. How that man ever connects the dots of a mission is beyond him. What Albert Einstein was to physics, Sam Kirk is to espionage. Kowalski is just glad they are on the same side.

Qa'Hom = small animal (a harmless thing trying to look impressive)