Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount own the entire Star Trek universe, ships, stations, characters, everything. Only the story and original characters are mine.

Upon entering Icheb's quarters, Naomi was alarmed to see Icheb's obvious agitation. He was pacing back and forth at warp five. "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

He stopped his pacing, went to Naomi, and put his hands on her shoulders, "The Captain is taking a month's leave."

Naomi was confused, this bit of information didn't seem dire enough to cause this extreme reaction on Icheb's part. She reached up to her shoulders and took hold of Icheb's hands. Holding both of his hands in hers, she gently guided him over to the couch. As they sat, facing each other she asked, "I don't understand. She's taking a vacation now?"

Icheb looked at Naomi and seemed to calm down marginally. "No, after her husband has been on CS12 for a few months and has it running to his satisfaction, they are going to take a month long holiday."

Naomi was trying her hardest not to get exasperated with him, but he was making no sense. "Sweetheart, I still don't understand."

"If she is gone for a month, I'll be acting Captain."

"Obviously, but I don't understand why that is a cause for concern. You've been in command many times. Why is this any different?"

"Whenever I have been in command, the Captain has always been accessible. I've never commanded without having the back up option of calling the Captain in."

"Right?"

Here Icheb looked to her and squeezed her hands gently, "I was unable to maintain order."

She asked mildly, careful to make sure she didn't sound at all accusatory, "What are you talking about? When did this happen?"

"Not here, not on Lindbergh, on the Borg cube."

"Icheb, I love you, but I really don't know what you mean."

Icheb looked at her with obvious worry reflected in his eyes. "When I first emerged from the maturation chamber on the damaged Borg vessel, the one where Voyager found the others and me. I was the first one out of the maturation chambers, but since I couldn't maintain order in our small collective, Second became First. The drone which emerged after I did had to take over because I couldn't command properly."

Now Naomi understood, this painful truth from his childhood haunted him. She wondered how long he had been terrified of this, because it was obvious he was terrified. Before answering him, she cupped his face with her hands, making sure she had his complete attention, "Icheb, dearest, that was so long ago. You were a child, a very traumatized child at that."

"But…"

Naomi let go of his face, but once again took his hands in hers. She looked directly into his eyes, "But nothing, that was so long ago and you were completely unprepared for the situation. Since then, not only have you had extensive training, you have proven your leadership skills. You aren't the youngest First Officer currently in the fleet by accident. You've earned your position, you are prepared for this situation, and you'll do fine." She leaned in towards him and kissed him.

After several protracted moments he pulled away from her kiss but still held her tightly. "Are you sure I can do this?"

She once again looked into his eyes, "Absolutely certain. You are going to be such a great acting Captain, they'll probably give you command of the ship on a permanent basis."

The laughter in her eyes made him smile. "Thank you, I needed that. You're right, I'll be fine, won't I?"

"Definitely, you're prepared and experienced." She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I have an early duty shift in the morning, I need to get some sleep, do you need me to stay, or are you going to be alright?"

Icheb stood up and pulled Naomi to her feet as well. "No, you can go back to your quarters and get some sleep, but I do appreciate the offer. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be seen leaving my quarters in the morning on a constant basis. It might not sit well with Captain Dax."

Only a few hours into Naomi's duty shift the next day, the Captain made a ship wide announcement, "All hands, prepare for docking procedures, we will dock with Deep Space Nine in 15 minutes."

Naomi's coworker Maria turned to her, "She sounds happy doesn't she?"

"Certainly, how long do you think it will be before she disembarks?"

"Let's see, we dock in 15 minutes. I think she'll be off the ship in 15 minutes and one second."

"Agreed, on days like this I sometimes wish I was in a different department, you know, a department more directly involved in docking procedures."

Maria nodded her head in agreement. They finished their duty shift doing their normal duties while many areas of the ship were carrying out duties directly related to docking the ship and preparing it for the upcoming maintenance.

After work Naomi went to her quarters to change into civilian clothes. A large group of them was going to Quarks for dinner. Everyone on the Lindbergh was looking forward to having some time off since they were unnecessary to the upcoming maintenance. Time they were all eagerly anticipating spending on the bustling space station, taking advantage of the many shops, restaurants and other diversions available. After their recent extended and grueling mission, it was well deserved R&R time.

Naomi and her roommate Mary Melody entered Quark's together. They didn't have to look long to find the table of their fellow Lindbergh crew mates. They seemed to have exclusive occupancy of the upper level. After climbing the spiral staircase, they joined their crew mates. As Naomi sat next to Icheb, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, causing Todd Franklin, Lindbergh's CMO to observe, "Watch it you two."

To which Icbeb replied, "We aren't on the ship and therefore, aren't subject to the Captain's constraints."

Todd admitted, "True, very true, carry on then." A good humored round of laughter followed his statement.

A well dressed Ferengi approached the table, "Welcome to Quark's, I am the proprietor of this establishment. It is always a pleasure to welcome a Starfleet crew to the station. Broik, my head waiter, will be serving you this evening, but I wanted to introduce myself. I hope you enjoy your evening, Broik will be here shortly."

As he turned to descend the stairs down to the main level, Todd asked Icheb, "Where's the Captain, do you suppose?"

Quark turned around and answered the question which he heard perfectly due to the incredible hearing common to his race, "Ezri and Julian are in the holosuite visiting Vic Fontaine."

Todd asked, "Who is Vic Fontaine?"

Quark smiled, "He's an old and dear friend of theirs."

Icheb asked the man, "Why are they visiting him on the holodeck?"

Quark seemed to be surprised at this, "Because he's a hologram of course." He turned and left the upper level by way of the stairs.

Another Ferengi approached the table with a stack of Padds. He distributed some of the Padds on which the food menu was accessible. He still had one Padd in his hands, and he addressed the large group, "I'm Broik and I'll be serving you all this evening. While you look over our menu, can I take your beverage orders?" After they all placed their beverage orders and a few placed orders for appetizers, Broik left them to get their beverages. Once he was gone, they all began to look over the extensive food menu. They discussed what they were considering ordering for dinner. Todd looked at Naomi and Icheb, "It's a shame he doesn't offer Leola Root stew or any of the other Delta Quadrant delicacies you both enjoy."

Their beverages arrived quickly with Broik being accompanied by two other Ferengi waiters all of whom were carrying large trays filled with beverages and appetizers. Threm, Lindbergh's Chief Engineer, who was sitting next to his partner Todd was impressed, "What fast service, I still haven't decided what I want for dinner."

Broik addressed Threm, "There's no hurry sir, take your time." Once the beverages were distributed he addressed the table, "I assume you would all like more time to decide which of our numerous dishes you would like to order?" Several people answered him in the affirmative. "Very well, I'll be back after awhile. Enjoy your beverages."

Todd turned to Threm, "Friendly service here isn't it?"

Threm put his arm around Todd's shoulders, "We may get spoiled by all this excellent service. Do you think we could convince one of the Ferengi waiters to join us on Lindbergh to serve us in the Mess Hall?"