Shadows of the Past

Author's Note: I don't own characters from any recognizable franchise here. I had wondered how various characters from different TV shows would function as members of Starfleet and this project took hold.

Dominion Artificial Wormhole
Sector 283, Badlands
2373

Ellen Hickle floated weightlessly through the void, with only her tether of her white space suit preventing her from flying into the great beyond. 'Relax, relax…' Ellen told herself, tempted to fire the jets on her suit so she could get to the exposed conduit she had been working on.

'Those stupid jets and this clunky Dominion space suit! I always overshoot and…' Ellen thought to herself before her thoughts were interrupted by a gruff voice echoed through her helmet's comm system.

"Number zero-four-eight-nine, you are falling behind the prescribed timetable. You have ten minutes to weld that conduit or you will lose your privileges."

Ellen held up her free hand, waving in acknowledgment. 'Privileges. A euphemism for food, water, oxygen, and a bunk - the bare minimum to stay alive. Loss of privileges equals being expelled into space with the garbage without the benefit of a space suit.'

Holding onto that welding torch in her hands Ellen fantasized for the fifth time in as many minutes about hitting the Jem'Hadar overseer with the electron beam of the arc welder. As she drifted her way towards the conduit her question she looked down the length of the massive veteron collider, a skeletal tube over ten kilometers long and two kilometers wide.

Thousands of space-suited workers clung to the structure engaged in assorted tasks and as she looked towards the center of the collider she saw a pair of Cardassian shuttlecraft patrolling like sharks swimming through a reef.

She reached the conduit and made the appropriate welds to the thing, checking them over and logging them as complete. It was her last task for this segment and then she pushed away, drifting in space.

Straightening her tether, watching it stretch back to the maintenance pod in the junction of six supports.

"Ready to come in," she reported.

"There will be a delay in retrieval." The Jem'Hadar overseer responded from somewhere above and behind her.

With a sigh of frustration inside her helmet, Ellen thought to herself. 'First the Jem'Hadar threaten me with punishment if I don't finish on time and now I'm told to wait? Why?'

Asking the last question would probably equal a loss of privileges so Ellen bit her tongue and twisted around, and then she saw it. From her vantage point half a kilometer away she saw a Cardassian tanker lumbering into position at the mouth of the collider.

When it came to a halt Ellen watched a detail of fifteen white garbed prisoners using the jets of their space suits to maneuver behind the freight hatch aft of the tanker. There were fifteen Jem'Hadar guards in gray space suits nearby.

When the hatch opened Ellen saw what appeared to be a gleaming beam of sunlight emerging from the recesses of the tanker. 'They've got to be using some sort of stasis field. If that's antimatter and it's not contained properly that tanker is about to become a flying bomb!'

Suddenly the Cardassian tanker fired its thrusters, attempting to pull away only for the glowing antimatter to pulse inside its stasis field. Several panicked workers nearby tried to flee this impending disaster only for the Jem'Hadar to start firing at the fleeing prisoners. She counted at least four prisoners burning up as the oxygen in their suits ignited thanks to the Jem'Hadar fire before the flames were immediately extinguished by the vacuum of space.

This proved to be a moot point as the tanker exploded in a vivid burst of flame. She felt herself being flung bodily by the force of the explosion, narrowly missing colliding with any of the strut assemblies or conduits.

Stars, fellow prisoners, a couple of guards, and pieces of bodies and the tanker flew past her. As the shockwave flung her upside down, she saw a chunk of the tanker smack into the Jem'Hadar overseer's helmet, leaving a meter long piece of metal protruding out of his faceplate.

'Not so harsh now!' Ellen thought.

Feeling her body jerk like a yo-yo, she fired the jets of her spacesuit, cutting them just in time to glance off the piling. 'Don't let my suit get torn! Please God! No!'

"Imzadi…" Ellen whispered inside her helmet as she felt herself lose consciousness…

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
Dr. Hickle's Quarters
2375

Ellen sat upright in bed with a gasp. Blinking and looking around, realizing she was back in her quarters. Hugging her arms to herself she shivered.

"Ellen?"

She looked up in time to see Charlie standing, still wearing his uniform, at the edge of her bed. Concern etched his features as he sat down on the bed beside her.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Sliding his boots off Charlie slid into the bed beside her, holding her in his arms. Feeling the wellspring of fear, anger and sadness emanating from Ellen that told him all he needed to know. He felt Ellen lean against him, her head on his shoulder.

"Another nightmare?" Charlie asked with a knowing look. Ellen nodded, and Charlie held her in his arms, feeling Ellen's arms around him.

"Me mate didn't tarry too long." Charlie replied.

"I go on duty in four hours." Ellen leaned against him, taking in the scent of his aftershave.

"I have to get to the bridge around that time, so that works out," Charlie said, lightly kissing her forehead.

He held her close and after a pause he said, "I intend to spend every possible second before we're both due in for work here with you."

"I'd love that," Ellen replied with a small smile.

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
Captain's Ready Room
2375

"Enter," Olivia called out from behind her desk, a fresh cup of coffee in her right hand.

The door hissed open to reveal Commander Aaron Carlyle with a PADD in his right hand. "Liv, I think I might have a lead about our mysterious Theta One."

"Alright, Aaron, start from the beginning."

"Well just after midnight I couldn't sleep so I went over to the Longshoreman to do some thinking." Aaron replied as he stepped into the office, waiting for the door to seal behind him fully before continuing.

"And I assume said thinking involved a pint or two?" Olivia asked.

"Naturally," Aaron replied with a toothy grin.

"And when you had this nightcap how did you figure out this mysterious lead?" Olivia raised an eyebrow as she spoke.

"Well, I happened to notice our very own newly arrived science officer, Mr. Hollom having a few pints with none other than one Commander Elias Vaughn." Aaron replied.

Olivia nearly dropped the coffee cup in her right hand, "Vaughn? As in the Starfleet officer with a higher security clearance than many Admirals?"

"The one and only," Aaron replied.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions, yet, Starfleet Intelligence did want a thorough debriefing from Mr. Hollom when he was rescued from Alhambra IV." Olivia cautioned. 'A red flag is popping up here.'

"I'm aware of that from his file. As well as a few other matters highlighted here," Aaron replied and handed her the PADD.

"He served eight years on the USS Surprise under Jack Aubrey, as a struggling science officer. They sent him on a survey mission to Alhambra IV under Lewis Dodgson. Where he was marooned for nine months by the Dominion War becoming an intelligence asset, callsign Dingo 33." Olivia read the PADD in question.

"Certainly compelling evidence of Mr. Hollom being the AWG contact, isn't it?" Aaron replied.

"I agree with you…" Olivia began before her comm badge chirped.

"Master Chief to the Captain," a voice echoed.

Liv tapped her comm badge, "Go ahead, Master Chief."

"Mr. Hollom just arrived on the bridge. Want me to show him in?" Pickles' voice echoed over the comm.

"Send him in," Olivia ordered.

The door opened and Olivia stood up, looking to see a slim bodied fellow, taller than herself with dark hair and brown eyes. 'He might be wearing the blue of the science division but if he's who I think he is…'

"G'day, Captain Benson, Commander Carlyle," Hollom said with a nod to each officer as he walked into the room, Master Chief Pickles behind him.

When the door closed, Hollom said, "Theta One."

"Computer, seal Ready Room door, Authorization Benson One Nine Sierra."

"Acknowledged." The computer replied.

Four comm badges were removed and placed on Captain Benson's desk. By the time the last badge was placed atop the desk, Olivia said one word, "Authenticate."

"Golf Charlie One Six One." Hollom replied.

Olivia looked at her computer terminal, matching the alphanumeric code she had received late the previous night after putting Noah to bed. Nodding her head in acknowledgment she asked, "What did the Asymmetric Warfare Group send you here for?"

"Reconnaissance mostly, sir," Hollom replied, taking a step back at the piercing glare Olivia gave him.

"I have no issue with reconnaissance. It's the 'mostly' I have an issue with." Olivia's arms folded across her chest as she spoke.

"Sir, that's the part I can't disclose per the Theta One protocol." Hollom replied.

"I'll be honest with you, Mr. Hollom, I have had my run-ins with the Theta One protocol. Fifty five of my shipmates aboard USS Centaur were killed extracting a six man team from the Asymmetric Warfare Group on Dorvan V."

"I understand, sir."

"Mr. Hollom, understand this, you will have this command's support but you had better not abuse it. The moment I think you are putting this command in danger unnecessarily I won't hesitate to bury you out there." Olivia stated.

"It's good to know where I stand, sir," Hollom replied.

"Is there anything else, Mr. Hollom?" Olivia asked.

"No sir."

"This conversation never occurred. Good day, Mr. Hollom." Olivia replied.

After a pause she added, "Computer, unseal Ready Room, authorization Benson One Nine Sierra."

Hollom fetched his comm badge before turning around and walking out of the ready room. Once the door closed again, Olivia found herself looking towards Lou and Aaron.

"So, what now?" Lou asked.

"Well for one thing we know who's got the collateral duty of intelligence officer," Aaron quipped.

"Can you be serious right now?" Olivia replied.

"Alright, to repeat what Master Chief said, what's the plan, Captain?"

"We all keep a discreet eye on Mr. Hollom for the foreseeable future," Olivia concluded.

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
Bridge
2375

Lieutenant Commander Hal Olden watched as the Ready Room door opened, disgorging Lieutenant Hollom. 'The Captain does meet new department heads here on a routine basis.'

He waited briefly then tapped on the door chime. At Olivia's command to enter the tall Englishman entered the room with a PADD in his right hand.

'Must've been a team effort to meet Mr. Hollom.' Hal thought as he noticed both the Command Master Chief and First Officer were standing in the room as well.

"Sir, the latest on the Navigation Array. Audrey got it sorted out." Hal handed the PADD to Olivia.

"Without working an all-nighter?" Olivia asked as she read through the report.

"No sir, I saw to that. Besides I thought I'd get myself familiar with shipboard systems," Hal replied.

Olivia managed a wry grin, "Big difference from a fighter, isn't it?"

"Very much so. There are departments aboard larger starships like the Galaxy and Sovereign class that are as large as my old squadron," Hal mused.

"Anything else?" Olivia asked.

"Leftenant Borgia, our Staff Judge Advocate, arrives today via the daily transport from Earth." Hal began, a small smile on his face.

"Who happens to be your wife, right?" Olivia asked.

"Yes sir, as of three weeks ago." Hal replied, the smile widening.

"Not twenty four hours after the war ended? Wow you fighter jockeys really do move fast." Pickles commented.

"Not really, Master Chief, we had been seeing one another when she started law school as an ensign and we got engaged just before the Dominion War kicked off."

Olivia glanced over at the chronometer, "Go see your wife, Hal."

"Yes sir!" Hal replied, turning on one heel and immediately exited the Ready Room.

Promenade
Utopia Planitia
2375

Lieutenant Alexandra Borgia stretched both of her arms as she walked out of the airlock onto the Utopia Planitia Shipyard Promenade.

"That was a long flight," she groaned. 'Note to self, if I get a chance to hop on a shuttle to Mars from Earth I'll take that over a mass transport.'

"That's short range stellar transport for you," Commander Jack McCoy commented, as he turned his neck a couple of times to get a crick out of it.

"Reminds me of those 21st Century airliners where passengers had to pay for extra legroom or other creature comforts." She walked across the promenade and towards a turbolift.

"So how did you hear about this Longshoreman place?" McCoy stepped out of the turbolift.

"My husband found it on his first day here," Alex replied.

"Trust a fighter pilot to be quick to find a bar," McCoy mused.

"Ex-fighter pilot actually," an English accented voice sounded from just outside of Alex or McCoy's field of vision.

"Hal!" Alex yelped before turning around and nearly running into her husband's arms. After a quick kiss Alex and Hal disentangled themselves from their embrace, but holding hands.

"Again, congratulations to you two," McCoy replied after stepping back a couple of paces to give them some space.

"Thank you," Alex replied.

"And congratulations to you on your promotion, sir." Hal added.

"Thank you," McCoy replied.

"And, counselor, as to the bit about fighter pilots and bars it's a bit of a stereotype don't you think?" Hal chuckled.

"You're really arguing with a lawyer?" Alex interjected.

"I dare do all that may become a man." Hal intoned, using his best Shakespearean voice.

"Nice invoking of Macbeth." Alex replied.

"I also remember that quote got me my first date with you." Hal smiled toothily.

"Touché, though you nearly wound up shot down." Alex commented.

She felt Hal's hand quiver and gave it a reassuring squeeze. 'I shouldn't have said that, after what he went through during the war.'

She looked at him with an apologetic look, "I love you."

Hal squeezed her hand in return. "It's alright about the 'shot down' bit. My own silly fault for shaking like that."

They approached the host and asked for a table for three. After he seated them McCoy asked, "How's starship life so far?"

"Bloody busy, trying to play catch-up with blokes who've been on larger starships. But other than that I got our quarters sorted out." Hal replied, "Mostly."

"Mostly?" Alex asked.

"Just thought I'd let you sort out where you wanted some of your items," Hal replied.

"Fair enough," Alex replied.

"So what's next for you, sir?" Hal asked.

"Deep Space Nine, I'm heading that way via the USS Hornet late tonight before she gets on station in the Cardassia Patrol Zone."

"That's where we're likely headed," Hal replied "After we pick up a Provincial Reconstruction Team from Deep Space Nine."

"I'll be sure to pay you back for this meal. That's a promise." McCoy smiled as their server arrived. After the three of them ordered meals and drinks their server departed.

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
Captain's Ready Room
2375

When the chime sounded Olivia said, "Enter."

She looked up from her computer terminal in time to see Aaron walking through the door, Noah in his arms. Glancing at the chronometer on the bulkhead, Olivia remarked, "Is it noon already?"

"If you're busy…" Aaron began, taking a step backward.

"Oh no, I just got a little caught up in some of that info you gave me this morning." Olivia replied. 'I almost blurted about some research I'm doing on our AWG asset in front of my five year old son…'

Olivia closed her computer terminal and asked, "What are you thinking for lunch?"

"Given we're about to go into space in two weeks I figure we should have a look at the Longshoreman." Aaron replied, shifting Noah's weight on his hip.

"You mean that bar where you went for a nightcap just after midnight?" Olivia asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I was just conducting a bit of surveillance," Aaron protested.

"Over a couple of pints?" Olivia asked as she stood up.

"Hey, gotta blend in. After all, if I'm sitting at a bar just after midnight with no drink I'd probably look suspicious."

"Since when are you a security officer, or for that matter an undercover surveillance type?" Olivia stepped around the right side of her desk, heading towards Aaron and Noah.

"I've known one for fifteen years, so I picked up a thing or two," Aaron countered.

"Well by that logic I've known an EOD operative for fifteen years, does that mean I should go around disarming booby traps?" Olivia asked.

"Why, do you know of any in the area?" Aaron asked.

"Aaron, can you be serious for one moment?" Olivia stood a couple paces from the Ready Room door.

"Sure I can…" Aaron replied before he felt a tug on his sleeve from Noah, "What is it little man?"

"Daddy, what's a nightcap?" Noah asked.

'Awkward.' Aaron thought, looking over to Olivia.

"Oh no, Commander, you're the one who opened the door."

"All due respect, Captain, you're the one who used the word first."

"Daddy…" Noah said, more insistently.

"Uhm, it's a drink grown-ups drink when grown-ups can't sleep." Aaron replied.

"Oh...does that mean you gave me a nightcap?" Noah asked and Olivia's eyes went wide.

Aaron stepped back from Olivia, "Liv, remember after his birthday party last night? That glass of warm milk you saw me give him…"

"Oh no, Pumpkin, warm milk isn't a nightcap. A nightcap is a grown-up drink for grown-ups who can't fall asleep." Olivia explained.

"Oh." Noah replied.

"Shall we?" Aaron asked.

"Lay on Macduff," Olivia commented.

"Mommy, I thought Daddy's name was Aaron?" Noah asked.

"It is," Olivia replied.

"But who's Macduff?" Noah asked.

"He's a character in Shakespeare's Macbeth." Olivia answered.

Aaron chuckled as he stepped towards the Ready Room door. As it opened he commented, "Sounds like you're picking up literary references from Commander Olden."

They headed for the Bridge's turbolift before Aaron tapped the touch plate and gestured, "After you."

Olivia stepped into the turbolift with Aaron in tow before she said, "Docking Port 2."

The turbolift sped along the appropriate tracks towards the docking port and after they arrived they stepped off of Argos and to Utopia Planitia. After a walk along the observation deck they reached another turbolift.

Once they were inside, Aaron ordered, "Longshoreman."

After they arrived at the outside of the restaurant they noticed Commander McCoy leaving the restaurant.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Jack," Olivia began as Jack approached.

McCoy's eyes flickered to the four pips on Olivia's collar, "And same to you, Captain. It's been a while."

"Thank you for what you did for me at the Board of Inquiry," Olivia whispered slightly, seeing Aaron shift Noah on his hip in her peripheral vision.

"I knew you were going to do just fine," McCoy said as he adjusted a single strap bag across his shoulder.

"Glad to see you guessed right." Olivia glanced over at Aaron who nodded and walked with Noah and their server deeper into the restaurant, carrying a curious Noah in his arms.

"Come on little man, Mommy has some grown up talk with Mr. McCoy," Aaron softly said to his son.

"I knew you'd be fine even with the grilling Picard gave you. Jean Luc may be hard but he's fair when it comes to Boards of Inquiry."

"I wouldn't have known. Some of the more severe questions asked came from him." Olivia shuddered slightly, looking out of the corner of her eye in time to see Aaron walking deeper into the restaurant, explaining something to Noah.

"Well, he can't have held his questions against you too much. He is the master of ceremonies for your command's commissioning, Liv."

"I was surprised he volunteered for it."

"I'm not," McCoy replied as he shifted the weight of his bag again.

"Last call for USS Hornet." The computer's voice sounded.

"Take care of yourself out there." McCoy said before he and Olivia swapped hugs.

Olivia walked into the restaurant as McCoy headed towards the turbolift. She walked into the restaurant just in time to see Lieutenant Commander Olden walking hand in hand with a dark slender haired woman about his height.

"Captain," Hal said as he approached before introducing the woman, "I'd like to introduce my wife, Alex."

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Borgia." Olivia shook hands with Alex.

"Thank you, sir." Alex replied.

"With a name like Borgia you're definitely Italian." Olivia smiled.

"Italian, Spanish, French." Alex replied, "I have some relatives in Venice."

"In any case, welcome aboard, looking forward to working with you. I don't want to hold you up." Olivia replied before they parted ways.

Olivia walked over to the table where Aaron and Noah were sitting. Noah was drinking some water from a glass while Aaron was looking at a PADD in his right hand. At her questioning look he said, "Let's talk about this later. It's some concerns I have."

"Aaron?"

"I just prefer we discuss this matter in private," Aaron replied.

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
LCDR Olden and LT Borgia's Quarters
2375

Hal stopped outside of their quarters, giving Alex a light kiss on the lips. "Well, before we go inside I've got just one thing…"

"Oh?" Alex asked before she felt herself being lifted into Hal's arms. His left arm was at the hollow of her knees while his right arm was around her shoulders with her arms around her neck.

"Well it is an old tradition for a man to carry his new bride through the threshold of their home. And our quarters count as such," Hal replied, kissing her again before walking into their quarters as the door opened.

Hal gently set Alex down on her feet. Alex looked around their quarters before putting her arms gently around Hal's neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her. "Hmm...how much time do we have before you go back on duty?"

Hal glanced up at the chronometer to his right. "Well, I've got to sort out the alignment of the aft phaser array's primary coil at 1500, and I'd best remember to straighten out my uniform afterward...we've definitely got time."

"Mhm…" Alex said, closing her eyes as they kissed again before a bark sounded from the next room.

"And I forgot to factor in Canis Familiaris," Hal groaned as he disentangled himself from Alex's arms in time to see a white Bull Terrier puppy trotting into the living room.

"Hello Piglet," Alex said, crouching down to stroke the animal's fur.

"He's been nothing short of great for me." Hal replied as he knelt beside his wife and scratched Piglet behind the ears.

Piglet licked Alex's face, around her lips and cheeks. "Hey...Ack...Piglet! That tickles!"

Hal smirked at the sight as he glanced up, eyes falling on a plaque on the wall. It was shaped like a medieval shield with the insignia of a knight's helmet superimposed against the insignia of Starfleet and the top view of a fighter craft. His eyes fell on a small brass plate:

Lieutenant Commander Harold "Lucky Hal" Olden

Callsigns: Fortis One/Fortis Leader

Many thanks for your dedication, courage, and outstanding leadership.

"All Marks, Fortis 1, Push through! Push through!"

From No. 112 Squadron, "Fortis"

Hal blinked his eyes and suddenly he was back. Hearing his own voice through many battles through the long Dominion War. His own words on four separate occasions when he had to take command on the death of Fortis Leader. Before he knew it Piglet trotted over to him, putting his paws on his shoulders and licking his face.

"Hal?" Alex asked, concern in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, love, I was miles away." Hal replied, stroking Piglet's fur with one hand and his arm around Alex's waist.

Alex's eyes followed Hal's line of sight, looking at the plaque, putting her right arm around Hal's shoulders.

"As I said, Piglet's been good for me." Hal smiled weakly, before turning to face his wife, "And moreover, so have you. I can't say this enough. I love you."

USS Argos (NCC-14229)
Captain Benson's Quarters
2375

Aaron looked around the living room of Olivia's quarters while she put Noah down for his nap. He smiled when he saw that Home is Where the Heart Is plaque hanging above the sofa.

"Well, Noah's asleep." Olivia stepped out of Noah's bedroom towards the living room where Aaron stood looking at the plaque.

"I still remember when we got that thing." Aaron smirked.

"As newly married lieutenants. You bought it from that Bolian merchant on Starbase 209 on the way to our honeymoon." Olivia smiled at the memory.

"Hey I thought it would be perfect for our quarters back then. Clearly you agreed," Aaron replied.

"I remember we had been married all of thirty-six hours by then." Olivia smiled as she looked over at the plaque.

"I can't believe you remember how long we were married when we bought that thing," Aaron quipped.

"You spent over an hour debating the price of the item with the Bolian before going off on a tangent on Bolian philosophy with the man." Olivia replied, "We almost missed our transport."

"Liv, we had ten minutes to spare." Aaron protested.

"I would have preferred not running half a kilometer to get to our ship."

"Hey it was still a nice memory, and a cute keepsake." Aaron shrugged.

'Aaron you have a sentimental streak that's hundreds of kilometers long…I always found that endearing about you…Wait! Where did that come from?' Olivia thought before changing the conversation tack.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, Liv. Since we got that Theta One order I've been thinking about this crew and a thing called PTSD," Aaron replied.

Olivia sat beside him on the sofa and said, "So let's talk about it."

"Given that just about everyone on this crew is a Dominion War veteran bar our youngest recruits I wouldn't be surprised if most of us have it to some degree or another." Aaron handed Liv the PADD he had been holding.

Olivia skimmed the contents, "You pulled personnel files?"

Aaron nodded. "Since a couple of nights ago I went through crew files and probable PTSD cases and compiled them on a list."

Olivia looked at him with a raised eyebrow and Aaron raised both hands, palms facing Olivia. "Note that I didn't exclude myself in that list, especially serving aboard USS Destiny during the war. Indeed I put myself at the top of the list. I note that three people on our senior staff in addition to me have varying cases of PTSD."

"And I suffer through it too," Olivia replied.

Aaron nodded. "Doctor Hickle was a POW and a slave laborer for nearly five months. Lieutenant Hollom was marooned behind the lines for nine months. Lieutenant Commander Olden served as a fighter pilot through all of the Dominion War's major battles, in fact barely surviving the Battle of Cardassia."

"And why did you pull profiles on PTSD?" Olivia asked.

"Counselor Hauser spoke to me today regarding that same theme about PTSD."

"Aaron, get to the point." Olivia shifted her weight so she turned to face him.

"Dr. Hauser pitched the idea of group therapy to me. And frankly I see it as a good idea given the examples highlighted. He has a full proposal he's working on that he wants to pitch to you at a later date. He asked me to introduce it to you."

"I take it the sketch of his ideas is on that PADD in your hands?"

Aaron nodded. "He is among Starfleet's leading experts on PTSD. I happen to think he could be helpful."

"I'll give the idea some thought," Olivia replied with a nod of her own.

"How are you holding up?" Aaron asked, "Since two nights ago I mean."

"I'm feeling better, thank you." Olivia looked over at him.

"Full disclosure I have an appointment with Counselor Hauser tomorrow. And a quick trip to the aeroponics bay." Aaron smiled slyly.

"Why the aeroponics bay?" Olivia asked.

"I had a Key lime tree moved into the bay from Utopia Planitia's aeroponics bay last week and I want to check on it." Aaron replied.

"So you can make your fresh limeade?" Olivia asked.

"Of course. It is my favorite drink after all and…"

"...replicators can never get Grandma's recipes right." Olivia smiled.

"And of course I'll ensure you get the first glass I make on my first harvest," Aaron replied.

"I'd like that," Olivia said with a smile.

"Consider it a promise, then, Liv." Aaron nodded before turning around and walking out of her quarters.

TBC