Chapter 11 Detour
Jeffrey sat on the hard bench in the hallway, outside the office door. They had been pulled back to headquarters without any warning and as soon as they had arrived, Bogg had been escorted behind that closed door for some kind of meeting. Jeffrey wasn't sure whether he was more worried or more curious about the reason. Finally the door opened and Bogg walked out into the hall and paused. His expression was tense, difficult to read and Jeff stood up and looked at him worriedly.
"What's wrong?" Jeff whispered as he walked closer.
He watched as his partner half-smiled, "how long have you got?" Bogg answered.
Jeff stared at him, he didn't like Bogg's expression, he didn't look like himself. "As long as it takes," he answered in a serious tone.
"I don't even know where to start," Bogg whispered.
"Let's go somewhere and sit down," Jeff said, and they walked into a courtyard and sat down together on a bench in the shade.
"I didn't even know this," Phineas began in a subdued voice, "but, if a member of a Voyager's close family dies alone, the Voyager can decide to be there."
There was silence as Jeffrey tried to grasp what that could mean. "What does that have to do with you?" he whispered.
Bogg sighed, "well, if I had stayed in the time stream, and lived a normal life, when I was as old as I am now, my mother would be dying."
Jeffrey let the silence continue.
Phineas glanced over at him and sighed, "so I'm allowed to be there when she passes," he paused, "if I want to be. They gave me the choice," he whispered.
Jeff gave his partner his full attention, and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Are you going?"
Phineas nodded, "I guess I'll be gone for a day or two."
"I'm coming with you," Jeff said immediately.
"You don't have to," Bogg said, thinking about how many memories this would be stirring up for Jeffrey.
"You're my family, so she is too" Jeff whispered.
Phineas looked at him and their eyes met. He could see determination and concern in Jeff's gaze and nodded, "okay."