On the Transporter padd in a stream of shining yellow light instead of orange light appeared a body inside of what seemed to be a strange mucus net while shivering. Phil came over to the side of the body then checked for a pulse. Phil recognized the unconscious man's face. He darted over to the transporter console then pressed a button.
"Transporter room to Sick Bay," Phil said.
"Sick Bay here," Pollard said.
"Lieutenant Stamets just appeared on the transporter padd in a sac," Phil said.
"Beam him up to biobed three," Pollard said. "Sick bay out," she turned off the console. "Someone get Doctor Culber!"
"This is not Lieutenant Stamets, Admiral," Culber said, directing toward the resting war veteran.
"Then who is this?" Georgiou asked.
"Lieutenant Commander Stamets," Culber said. "Commander Stamets. He's from a alternate future."
"Did we win?" Georgiou inquired.
"We did," Culber said. "that's all he would tell me." Georgiou was relieved. "But he could have some PTSD."
"We will all need counseling after this war," Georgiou said. "After all we have seen," she briefly closed her eyes then opened them glancing toward the officer in the two piece blue patient outfit. She looked toward the doctor. "We won't use this war veteran's knowledge and instead, he will be stationed on Earth. He deserves it."
"Commander Stamets expressed his dislike of being stationed on a planet that could be conquered by the Klingons," Culber said. "he will find a way back into the front and try to end the war."
"So you are saying its a bad idea," Georgiou said.
"It is a bad idea," Culber said. "If anything, he will want to help us end our war."
"But he can't," Georgiou said. "Not with mushrooms at least," her eyes glanced toward his forearms to see blue implants. "And these better be removed before he awakens," she looked up toward the doctor. "Could Lieutenant Stamets have survived?"
"The power that the prototype shuttlecraft had likely killed my Paul instead of freeing him and sending him out into the normal timestream like the rest of us," Culber said.
"But the pocket universe is no longer active," Georgiou said.
"Destroyed, essentially," Culber said.
Georgiou looked down toward the man.
"We still have a expert in mushrooms," Georgiou said. "Perhaps he is useful after all."
Tilly was the first that morning to awaken. Her lazy eyes adjusted to the lighting in the room. The morning felt lazy and cozy to the ensign. Her vision adjusted to a mass in front of her face. It smelled, really bad. They were purple feet of the midshipman. Tilly turned her head then spotted Burnham's recognizable face pressed against the bed. Burnham's face was neutral, almost stoic fast asleep.
"Urgh," Purch, the midshipman, rolled off the bed landing on the floor.
Tilly looked over the bed.
"Good morning, Purch!" Tilly said.
"Mmm," Purch said. "Goooood."
Tilly came onto the side of the bed admiring the perfect woman. Burnham's short curly hair was laid on the edge of the bed. Her crop top had a strap that was partially off the shoulder. Her hands were laid on her lap - a position that Tilly found Burnham in when meditating on the bed in a sleep position. Tilly grabbed hold onto the edges of the bed with a giggle. Best way to wake up a wife. Tilly leaned down then planted a kiss onto Burnham's forehead. Burnham's lazy, tired eyes slowly opened looking up toward the ensign's direction.
"Headache?" Burnham inquired, raising a eyebrow.
"I didn't drink that many glasses," Tilly said.
"Excellent," Burnham said, then placed her hands onto the ensign's shoulders then planted a kiss onto her lips.
The next thing Tilly knew, Burnham was on top and she was on the bottom.
"I take it that we have awakened early before our shifts begin," Burnham said.
"Uh huh," Tilly said. "We have."
"It's 0500," Purch said, putting on his pants. The cadet slipped on his black socks. "I can't believe I got to spend the night with the legend."
"It would be prudent to prepare for your morning routine with Fezik," Burnham said.
"How did you know of that routine?" Purch said.
"Fezik is assigned to DASH engineering," Burnham said. "Fezik is a talker between shifts."
"This is embarrassing," Purch said, putting on his buttoned shirt decorated in flowers. "Thanks for letting me stay over," he began to button up the shirt quickly as he could. "I loved our threesome. Delightful!"
Purch sped out through the doorway.
"Finish what you started, Mikey," Tilly said.
Burnham nodded in agreement.
"From when?" Burnham asked.
"Oh, I think what you started with Purch after the party only better," Tilly said.
Burnham then took off her crop top and lowered herself down to Tilly. She kissed along the woman's neck. Burnham opened her side of the bond for Tilly letting out a sea of adoring, loving feelings crash over. Tilly squeezed Burnham's left nipple with her two fingers. The nipple arose slightly. She licked the tip of her tongue in circular motions. Burnham became still with a hand placed on the back of Tilly's head grasping on it possessively. After ten licks, Tilly puckered her lips around the nipple then suck gently with firmness to it. Her head popped up and down. Burnham fell to her side making Tilly crash with her on the bed earning a fit of laughter from them. The sound of Burnham's padd was loud and distinct. Burnham slid out of Tilly's grip then made her way over to the padd.
"Come baaack," Tilly said.
Burnham turned on the screen.
"Sylvia," Burnham said.
"Yes?" Tilly said.
"How long did the party last?" Burnham asked.
"A few hours," Tilly said.
"This states it lasted for days," Burnham observed.
"I knew the sex was too good to be true!" Tilly said.
"And I have been promoted to first officer," Burnham said.
"Really?" Tilly said.
"It is directly from Starfleet command," Burnham said. "Authorized by Admiral Terral and ordered by Admiral Georgiou."
"What of we were in a time loop and we just got out of it?" Tilly asked.
"That would make sense," Burnham said. "I only need affirmation by Admiral Georgiou."
"Oooohh," Tilly said. "She doesn't know you're bonded and all, does she?"
"Not yet," Burnham said.
"GET UP AND GET WRECKED!" Tilly called, amusingly falling onto the floor.
"I shall," Burnham said. "Been too long since we have talked face to face."
Burnham came over to the machine then inputted her uniform code. Instead of the familiar three piece blue uniform appeared a gold shirt. She picked it up then came back over toward the bed. She held up the gold shirt to face the turtle neck and below that a black shirt lacking sleeves or a neck collar. Burnham slid on the black shirt then the warm gold shirt over it. Tilly smiled at the sight. To Tilly, Burnham was like a shining beacon in the dark. Radiating beauty in its finest. The brightness complimented her skin and aesthetic.
"Philippa," Burnham said, coming into the observation deck out of the light pouring into the dark room.
Georgiou turned from the observation window toward the approaching first officer.
"Michael," Georgiou greeted back, welcomingly. "Last time we were here. . ." Burnham came to the Admiral's side. Shoulder to shoulder they stood. "War was breaking out, you were leaving, and I was promoted. . ." Georgiou sighed, shaking her head. "Oh how the tables have turned."
"We were aboard Starbase 1, then," Burnham said. "I have heard the construction on the newer version is going along nicely."
"They have carpeted the place," Georgiou said, turning her attention onto the planet. "It is everything that a commander would ever want. Perhaps I might want to be stationed there."
"You know as I do that Malaysia is where your heart belongs," Burnham said.
"Yes, it is," Georgiou said. "It will be good to go there after the war. You and I for old times sake."
"We will have company," Burnham said.
"Friends?" Georgiou said, returning her attention onto Burnham. "I can accommodate for that."
"Philippa," Burnham said.
"Yes?" Georgiou said.
"There is a matter I wish to discuss," Burnham said.
"If you are resigning again on me then I am afraid that you cannot wiggle out of your reactivated commission," Georgiou said. "I made sure it stuck." Burnham looked bemused by the older woman.
"No, it is not that. This must be old news to you and we must talk about it," Burnham said, as Georgiou tilted her head with a confused look in her eyes. "T'Pau or Sarek must have told you."
"What matter?" Georgiou said.
"My property status," Burnham said.
"I thought she was kidding," Georgiou said.
"There is no reason for a Vulcan to joke," Burnham said. "nor do they kid."
"I should have realized that," Georgiou said.
"Tilly and I share the bond just like we do," Burnham said. "Only it has been consummated in the heat of Pon Farr. And she is open for more members in our union."
Georgiou smiled warmly back at the first officer.
"It is good to see you again," Georgiou said, holding her two fingers out for Burnham.
Burnham completed the ozh'esta with a private smile toward the older woman.
"You as well," Burnham said.
Paul's eyes opened to a familiar sick bay yet the feel was different and so was the atmosphere. He turned his head to see a familiar face with a different hair style and she was in command gold. Her hands were linked behind her back with a thin starfleet badge above her right breast. There was blue as primary. There was no zipper. No lighter blue shoulder padds. His mind screamed loudly in protest against what he was seeing. He done it. Stamets went on a suicide mission to save the ship and Hugh. He regained his composure.
"Good morning," Paul said.
"Your efforts to help the time loop have been noted, Lieutenant," Burnham said. "You have been promoted to Lieutenant Commander."
"And you got promoted to full Commander?" Paul asked.
Burnham nodded.
"It seems I played a part in that as well," Burnham said. "They could have assigned a new first officer."
"Michael," Paul said, leaned up against the biobed. "You are the most capable officer I ever met."
"Perhaps," Burnham said. "Ephraim is taking over the navigator position."
"I look forward to seeing Ephraim again," Paul said. "Been too long since I seen my favorite person of the day."
"On the bright side, we do not need to use Doctor Culber for the big jumps," Burnham said. "Tilly and I are going to hold our first bonding ceremony anniversary in six months, would you like to attend?"
"I would love to," Paul said, earning the smallest of smiles grow on the woman's face.
Burnham held her hand up.
"Live long and prosper," Burnham said, then she walked away.
Culber came over.
"Good morning, Commander nightmare," Culber said, in a bemused tone of voice.
"He killed me," Paul said. "He fucking killed me after we had sex. Shot me in the back. Why would he do that?"
"You told him the plan," Culber said.
"Yes, yes, yes," Paul said.
"That was your first mistake," Culber said.
"And so was talking about you," he looked down toward his hands. "I should have seen it coming. My third mistake was saying yes to his request to have sex. My fourth mistake was going into a lab that he chose. My fifth mistake was getting undressed. My sixth mistake was enjoying having sex with myself."
"How did that feel?" Culber asked.
"Good, actually," Paul said. "And my seventh mistake was having my back turned on him."
"It's a mistake anyone would have made," Culber said.
"If he had failed to reach the hole, then he would be here and I possibly might be home," Paul said. "And a fraud wouldn't be here."
"Is your name Paul Stamets?" Culber asked.
"Yes," Paul said, sadly.
"Then you're not a fraud, Paul," Culber said.
"I never went through what your partner experienced in this life," Paul said. "Everything is different down from the uniforms to the aesthetic! Right down to the molecule." he shook his index finger with hand on his knee. "I am not native to this universe, Hugh."
"Just because you're not a native doesn't mean you're too different from my Paul," Hugh said. "My Paul would have did all that he could to get out of the loop. Maybe go a little crazy over it, intensely frustrated, and become more bold."
"He wouldn't have failed saving you," Paul said.
"If he had failed, it would have been the last try for the ship," Culber said.
"Last try," Paul said.
Culber nodded.
"The hole was shrinking according to Osowekun's instruments," Culber explained. "There would have only been enough room for a line of escape pods to go through the next time around. Lorca would have insisted to stay behind. Landry would have stayed. Burnham would have stayed, Airiam would have stayed. Tilly would have stayed. Osowekun and Detmer would have stayed. Tyler would have stayed. And L'Rell. . ."
"I didn't see L'Rell in the brig in the loops," Paul said.
"Looks like you need a briefing of what we experienced," Culber said. "I'll start off from our first month on the Discovery and see where things are different-"
"Are we still boyfriends?" Paul interrupted.
"We've been married for the past ten years," Culber said, with a look of disbelief.
"No," Paul said. "let's start from the beginning. At the cafe. You were humming Kasseelian Opera."
"Then you told me to shut up," Culber said.
"So you came over to the seat beside me and hummed even louder," Paul said, earning a smile from Culber.
"Not that different after all," Culber said.
The scene panned into the purple transporter room. Paul seemed to be looking at it in awe now giving it a hard look. A real hard good look. The differences between the transporter rooms were great. Very different when compared to the gray transporter room with a black and blue paint job on the back of the main machine. Beside Paul sat L'Rell who was shaking the hand of the departing captain. By Lorca's side was Tyler holding two duffle bags in both arms.
"It has been a honor to know you, Captain Lorca," L'Rell said, shaking his hand.
"It was my honor to know you long as I did," Lorca said, with a weathered smile. "Keep up the good work, Lieutenant Commander L'Rell."
"I do not deserve being recognized by the rank I ruined," L'Rell said.
"By Starfleet eyes. you have redeemed that rank," Lorca said, as their hand shake ended. He turned toward Landry. "When you see Voq again. . ."
"I will deliver your displeasure." Landry said.
"Good," Lorca said, with a nod.
Burnham came into the transporter room with linked hands.
"Captain," Burnham said. "I have retrieved your support pet." she unlinked her had from behind her back approaching the captain.
"Knew I was forgetting something," Lorca said, taking Merkin from her smaller hands. He looked up toward the woman. "Best be good for your new captain."
"That will not be a problem,'" Burnham said.
"We are well adjusted to each other," Landry said.
"Agreed," Burnham said.
"Just what I wanted to hear," Lorca said, then he came over toward Paul. "Thanks for getting us out of there," he looked over toward Culber. "Both of you," his eyes faced the two with a smile. "Your reports was very informative."
"It is too bad we didn't get to know each other," Paul said.
"We got to know each other quite well, Commander Stamets," Lorca said. "You're a fine officer and I hope you get your lab back after the war."
Paul didn't know what to say as he realized just what the mirror Lorca had robbed the crew of. It made him more upset that change was coming like a hurricane that could not be stopped. A uncertain future aboard the most optimistic variation of the Discovery, yet. The hopeful, optimistic man standing before him with brighter blue eyes than usual. There was kindness radiating off him. A truly good man. It was a shame that Paul didn't take the loops as a opportunity to get to know him more. If he had tried, it would have been unsuccessful and seen Lorca even worse than he had been. He had only seen the angry, stubborn, and desperate side of him in the time loop. He felt bad for the captain. Without the Discovery, the war could very much kill him.
"Me too," Paul said. It came out as empty words.
"I expect to see all of you at United Federation Headquarters for your medal of honors after the war," Lorca said, as he went on to the transporter padd.
"We will make sure that happens," Landry said. Lorca and Tyler faced the group. "See you next year, Gabe. Energize."
Before Paul's eyes the two figures in orange light then they were replaced by Ephraim.
"Captain Landry," Ephraim said. "Pleased to be at your service."
"Welcome back, Commander Ephraim," Landry said, as Paul looked over toward Culber with a startled expression.
"Permission to come aboard?" Ephraim asked.
"Permission granted," Landry said.
Paul watched the Tardigrade like officer walk off the transporter padd in sheer awe.