Usual rant at the end.

Words – Story

"Words" - speaking

"Words"– thoughts

Words – Chapter and scene changes

(Words) – Bez speak

Chapter 12—Goodbyes are Never goodbyes—

"Are you sure you're good to go?" Rachel asked as she gave Lak a hug.

"As ready as we'll ever be," Lak replied slightly startled at the show of affection. "We have food, all the supplies we can take. The small Voot just in case. The 'Raroduen' has had all the systems checked properly, double checked and triple checked. And Bez's crest was placed upon the one side like I asked for so we're recognized as part of Bez's crew."

"And you know if you run into any trouble that we're just a call away," Curtis smiled as he shook hands with Lak.

"Of course we know that," Grace grinned. "You wouldn't let us leave until we promised that we'd call if anything happened."

"You better remember that too," Wren said sternly folding her arms over her chest and giving them all a very strict look.

"Yes mom," Grace whine cheekily. "Would you like to remind us to ear our vegetables as well?"

Wren cracked a smile at her. "Just behave."

"Be on the look out for any Warirken vessels and send a message, if you can, to tell us what is going on," Zim warned them.

"Yes Dad," Grace said to him just as cheekily with Lak.

Wren and Zim gave both of them a look. "Get out of here you pests before we try to keep you here," Wren growled.

A few more goodbyes were exchanged before the crew of the Raroduen could board. Over the last few flins they were preparing for the day when the ship and the crew were going to leave, but this moment seemed almost surreal. With a last wave from Lak, the doors shut and locked.

"Everyone no part of the bay crews, please evacuate the area to allow the launch to go as planed."

Curtis, Rachel, Wren and Zim moved out of the bay to an observation area that allowed them to still see the launch. The ship started it's checked as the bay crews helped get it into launch position. The rest of the crews evacuated as the start sequence went as planned.

Wren sighed. She was going to miss those guys. They were part of the family now and not having them there was going to be a little weird. She watched until the ship was out of the dock before heading for the bridge.

"Bring the Raroduen on screen and set up a connection with them," Wren said as she stood behind the helm crew.

"This is Captain Wren of the Living ship Bez, can you hear me Raroduen?"

"We can hear you loud and clear Captain. Miss us already?"

"You're not far enough away to miss you yet Lak. Go a little farther away and I'll consider it," Wren chuckled.

"Awwww, you wound my delicate pride Captain."

"From my understanding, all Irkens have delicate prides and you bounce back faster than CADIE and GIR on a sugar rush."

Lak laughed from the end of the other line. "Are we clear for opening the gate?"

"Raroduen, you are in the clear to activate the gate."

"Activating the gate now."

What they could see of the asteroid field parted as the gate activated and sized itself to the proper size for the Raroduen.

"Gate is open. We are in the clear and ready to go."

"Take care of yourselves Lak. I want to see you and your crew in one piece next time I see you. Got me?"

"Yes Ma'am! You'll see us soon enough. The Raroduen out."

With that Wren gave a sad smile as she saw the ship head off through the gate. They watched until the gate closed. "Keepers keep them safe," she thought as she gave the sign to cut off coms. "I want to see them again."

On board the station...

Wren leaned against a guard rail that ran along the walkways of the second floor. She twitched her ears and flicked her tail as she sensed someone coming up behind her. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw it was Felicity. Patiently she waited see who would speak up first.

"You have done a wonderful thing for us," the Elder said quietly as she rested a hand on the rail. She looked out over the expanse of the station. "It reminds me of the stories they would tell us as children of when the first station was in it's prime. I can imagine that it would look almost exactly like this would have."

"We try," Wren smiled at the grandmotherly woman. "I can't wait till we have people bustling around. I hope we've made it large enough."

"With the extra living pods that can attach to the ends of the hallways, we will have plenty. And, if I'm correct, your people want to add one more large section above the top most level to hold an observatory area that would include two or three restaurants or dining areas and a large lounge area."

"Wow, when did they think of that one and when was I going to be informed?" Wren laughed looking at the Elder. There was no anger present in her eyes, just amusement.

"I believe that they decided to inquire about it before bringing it up to you seeing as it wasn't on the plan."

"They are already surprising me more and more. I just can't believe it," Wren smiled turning her eyes back to the main floor.

"Captain, if you feel you are ready, you can begin moving some of the crew to the station to relieve Bez and your won crew of the pressures of over crowding. All of the Delalines are content in their new homes and a few have actually brought up the fact that they miss the quirkiness of the Irkens when they stayed for the brief time on the Irken vessels."

"Elder, that is wonderful news. I'll tell the crew as soon as I return to the ship. I'll let those that wish to stay here do so from my original crew. I feel that there will be a few humans who would probably wish to stay if that is fine with you."

"But of course. I believe one young man has already shown a little of an interest in one of my great-granddaughters. And even though some many are opposes to any inter-species mating, it seems you've turned out perfectly fine my dear. Maybe we need a few hardy human genes mixed with outs to keep our lines strong," Felicity laughed.

Wren laughed along as well, no offense taken of what the Elder had said. "Humans seem to be the mixing pot of the galaxy. I have no qualms with a few who wish to stay here. I wouldn't worry so much about them being hurt if we were attacked."

"I can understand that. They are more than welcome to stay as long as they need to, as long as they want to. Even when you find your planet again, I do expect you to keep in contact with us as a whole you know."

"I wouldn't dream of not keeping contact," Wren smiled up at her.

They fell into a comfortable silence as they looked out upon the small bustle of the people below. Irkens, Delalines, Humans and Sharshans were mingled throughout the area. Laughter fluttered up to their flicking ears and the murmur of voices filled up the rest of the noise space. Only a year ago, Wren couldn't even imagine this being possible. But now, now this felt right. The rush of traveling in space, helping others when they needed help the most, of saving lives and creating tight bonds that last a life time. This just felt right somehow.

And as she looked out upon the green of the station she could imagine several other species mingling with the ones that were below now. So many different different views coming together under one roof because of just one ship and it's crew. It was almost bizarre as she thought about it longer.

"Elder," Wren paused as she thought over her words carefully. "Would it be alright if we were to stay until the other Sharshans have arrived so we can brief them better? I'm not sure if I feel comfortable about throwing them into the mix of what's been created here without a little bit of prep."

"Oh please! Stay as long as you feel you need to my dear! It would give you and your ship a while more to recover properly. And we may need a little help with the organizing of refugees. If we have you here, someone who they already know as a figure head, things will most definitely go a lot easier," Felicity said smiling warmly at the girl. "I don't think any of us Elders is as spry as you to battle like you did."

Wren chuckled at that. "I don't think I'm all that spry anymore."

It was Elder Felicity's turn laugh, "Give it a couple of flins. You'll be fit enough to make up for your time off soon enough."

"I sure hope so, there's so much more of space we have to cover. I need enough bounce to cover it all and then some."

"You'll find your home child. I know you will. Just remember that your home may not be where there's soil or a planet beneath your feet." With having said that, she walked away, leaving Wren along to ponder what she had just said.

Later and elsewhere on Bez...

"You've healed quite nicely Wren. The stitching can come out today. We'll just cover it with a liquid bandage and you'll be just fine," a nurse said smiling up at her Captain. She reached for a small set of scissors and wiped them with a disinfectant. "This shouldn't hurt one bit and it should take no time at all."

"So says the one with the scissors," Wren muttered and Rachel giggled from beside her.

The nurse smiled regardless of Wren's slightly sour mood. Everyone on board knew she hated being poked and prodded by any of the nursing staff. Right now she began to carefully snip at the threads making up the suture in Wren's side.

Wren flinched at the sensation of the cold metal of the scissors and the threads being cut. She scrunched her face up as she tried not to squirm away from the scissors.

"Oh suck it up," Rachel said with a grin.

"Bite me Rachy, you evil little gnome," Wren scowled, scrunching up her face at her best friend to show it wasn't said with any anger.

Rachel laughed at her, "I'm a gnome? That's a new one."

"I thought you'd like it," she stuck her tongue out playfully only to squirm a moment later as a few stitches were taken out.

Only a few moments later the nurse was done and had sprayed on a liquid bandage. "That'll come off in a flin by itself. It's only there to keep bacteria out and to let it heal a little longer. After that, don't strain that side or yourself because there will be a slight chance that the wound will split. It'll be a few more months till you feel like your old self. You can take much longer showers but not bathes yet. Understood?"

"Awww," Wren sighed dramatically. "And here I was so looking forward to a clean bill of health so I can battle again. But personally I was looking forward to a soak in one of the gel tubs."

"Well, not until the end of a flin, got me?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Wren grinned saluting the nurse before sliding her shirt back over her head.

"Go do whatever you have planned Captain. Your cheekiness is overwhelming," the nurse sighed dramatically. "Take it elsewhere."

Rachel and Wren laughed as they left the Medical bay.

Later...

"Ma'am, there is a message coming in. I believe it is the Sharshan frequency," a crew member said across the com that Wren kept at her wrist.

Frowning, Wren swallowed her mouthful of food before answering the com. "A Sharshan frequency. I didn't think they could make it this far out without a good bit of delay in the message"

"I'm not sure what is up ma'am. All I know is we have a message coming in from them."

Wren sighed while wiping her mouth with a napkin. She looked forlornly at her meal before getting up from the table. She tapped her com, "I'm on my way."

It took a minute to get to the bridge. Wren was still forbidden from the chutes for fear she might hurt herself but that really wasn't so bad. She had even timed it and found she beat her old record on getting to the bridge.

"Patch the message through," Wren said as she made her way onto the bridge.

The screen came up to reveal not the leader of the planet that Bez's crew had stopped on before. This was the actual leader of the Sharshan race. She looked at the bridge crew before spotting Wren.

"Captain, it's nice to finally see the face behind the name."

"I could say the same Madame. We've been talking with everyone but you so far."

"Which is a shame really. Because I've head a few very interesting things about you and your crew."

"Not all bad I hope. I'd prefer if it was mostly good reviews or gossip," Wren laughed flashing a sharp smile.

"Captain Wren. I've come and contacted you because I met the crew you sent out to deliver a message to me. Upon receiving it, seeing as I was already close to the recreation planet you already had visited, we decided to just visit the station. That is if that isn't a problem."

"Well Madam, that is a pleasant surprise! Please, take your time. There is no rush at all. We are actually still completing a few things on board the station. But it wold be an honor if you were to visit!" Wren exclaimed ecstatic with the news.

"We are a few flins away then. We will see you in that amount of time. And please, don't change anything or do anything special for my arrival," the Sharshan leader said almost dramatically. "I would just like to see the station with out all the flair and fan fair."

Wren laughed. "As you wish. Nothing special at all."

"Till I see you in person," she nodded.

"And I you my lady," Wren smiled warmly before they cut the connection.

"Domin, would you kindly send a message to Rachel that she needs to go and inform the Elders that we shall have guests within at least two flins. Also add that the Leader of the Sharshans would prefer as little fuss over her as possible."

"Yes ma'am.. Will that be all?"

"Yes Domin. Thank you. Everyone, keep up the good work," Wren nodded as she turned and walked off the bridge.

On the space station...

Curtis' P.O.V...

"Rawr!" I growled as I stomped after a few of the children that were clustered on the center green. They squealed and giggled as they scattered in all directions. Some hid behind small trees while others stood and scurried about at a safe distance.

I continued to roar until I was able to scoop up an Irken smeet. It giggled as I lifted them high above my head then brought him back down to mime eating them.

"Noooo! I don't want to be eaten!" he squealed squirming in my grasp.

"We have to save Neaver!" a Delaline child shouted pointing our way.

"Get him!" a human child shouted as well.

"Wait, what?" I asked.

Then there were a dozen children running toward me and tackled me. I barely had time to shift so Neaver wouldn't' get hurt as we fell. I ended up on my back with a dozen children on top of me and Neaver hanging above my head.

"Ok, no eating Neaver. Got it," I said and grinned up at the little one in my hands.

"Yay!" a collective cheer went up as they got off me allowing me to breath freely again.

Standing up I let Neaver down finally and stretched the kink out of my spine. I turned to see a few females sitting to the side giggling at the spectacle of me playing with the children. Some threw flirtatious glances my way. I flashed them a smile and bowed their way which caused them to begin giggling again.

A tug at my shirt tail brought my attention to little Neaver.

"Again."

"Again?"

"Yes. Again."

"Again it is then," I roared at him and he squealed with excitement while running away.

We played for several more rounds till I knew I couldn't handle it anymore and stopped. Bracing my hands on my knees I panted slightly for breath.

"Time out you little morsels. This monster doesn't have your youth. I'm tired out."

A collective 'Awww' came from everyone.

"I know, I know. But I also have to go to work as well."

"Do you have to?" someone whined to my right.

"Can't you play for a little while longer?"

"Unfortunately not," I sighed resting a hand on a Delaline child's head and ruffling their ears. "I have to take a shower after playing with you guys."

They all gasped. "Shower?"

"Yep."

Several of them made faces. "We don't like showers. We like staying dirty!"

I laughed. "I don't mind being dirty either but I have to be clean for work. I promise that I'll come back to play sometime."

"Promise?"

"I promise," I smiled and picked one of the kids up and ruffled the head of another.

Ok, so an update finally. This is really all I have written on this story to be truthful and I know that it's depressing. I'll try working on it more but I've come up with a slight problem. My computer is dying and I'm not sure when I'll be able to get a new one. It's crashing slowly, every so slowly. So I'm not sure how much longer I'll have the net or so since that seems to be going first. I'll keep writing but updating will probably be far and in between. I hate doing this to you guys but sorry!

Now, more on the story. A little bit of time just for everyday life. Not a lot of excitement but not boring either. I mean, how many of you knew Curtis was so good with children? Who also knew that even while still engaged he was a flirt? Meh, that'll change. Trust me. I'm the authoress, I should know.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. It was a long time coming but I enjoyed it. It was a good change of pace. I should do more chapters like this one.

I'll try to keep people update with how the computer situation will play out. Not sure what's going to happen though.