Change of Uniform

[MajorZStarDust 0]

Change of Uniform

LtCdr Z StarDust

Tactical Officers Personal Log

 

 

Ziggy watched as Dana crossed around the foot of his biobed and approached Marty. He could see the hesitation in her step, she looked like a horse ready to bolt, but approaching something scary out of curiousity. Carefully she stepped up alongside Marty and took his outstretched hand.

 

They stared at each other for a long moment, both afraid that saying anything would be the wrong thing. Finally Marty broke the silence, his voice raw with emotion. "That Marine uniform looks good on you."

 

Dana bit her lip and nodded, not sure how to reply.

 

"It fits you. I mean, you being a Marine, and a Colonel, and in charge of security. I always knew you would. GO far, I mean."

 

Dana's voice was barely more than a whisper. "Thanks." She stared down at Marty for a moment. "Speaking of the uniform, I have to get back. Get some rest." She was all business again, as she turned and walked out.

 

Ziggy watched her leave, seeing in every step how she was restraining herself from running out the door. Dana never had been very good at dealing with stressful personal situations, and this had to be the worst. Suddenly, back from the dead, were her aunt, who had been almost a mother to her, and her lover. One at a time would have been bad, both together had to be incredibly difficult.

 

And it wasn't just that they were back. Now she was going to have to explain to them all that had happened in their absence. David, Kelly's son, had runaway to be with Ambassador Moose, and without the right technology, Kelly wasn't going to see him any time soon. And then there was trying to explain to Marty how she had had a child with Ziggy, thier best friend.

 

Right on cue, Dr. Telano approached. "I warned you to rest." He grumbled at Marty, but there was no malice in him, just worry over his patient. Without protest Marty let the good doctor apply the hypospray to his neck and drifted off to sleep.

 

"How are you feeling?" Dr. Telano poked at Ziggy. Unlike how he was with Marty, Ziggy knew the doctor was still angry with him over the whole slave situation. So he didn't complain as the doctor poked and prodded at all his sore spots.

 

"A little tender, but fine." He grunted as Telano poked a really sore spot.

 

Telano huffed back at him. "You got off easy. I think you are ready to return to duty. *Light* duty." With that, the doctor headed off to check other patients.

 

Ziggy slipped off the biobed. Gently he leaned over and kissed Kelly on the forehead, and then headed out of sickbay. Walking down the hallways he felt lost. He knew his presence would not be welcome whereever Dana was. And he had no idea if Samantha would want to see him either.

 

In his quarters, after a long shower, he sat down to check mail. In the middle of it all was a short note from the Captain. During the shore leave that had started the whole search to find the slave ring, Ziggy had asked about the opening at Tactical. And here, buried in the middle of his mail was a short note welcoming him to the position.

 

Leaving the rest of his mail behind, he headed for the bridge. Once there, he headed straight for the ready room, and entered when called. As he stepped in and took up the position of attention in front of the Captain, he could feel Moose's eyes looking him up and down.

 

"I believe you are out of uniform, Mr. StarDust. At ease."

 

Ziggy relaxed slightly and looked down at Moose. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

 

"Yes?"

 

"I have been transferred to Tactical?"

 

"Yes. Per your submitted request. Like I said, you are out of uniform."

 

"So, I'm not a marine anymore?"

 

"I am working on the details, but Tactical doesn't fall under the Marine COC, so you need to be in a Starfleet uniform. I take it you have been released from sickbay?"

 

"Dr. Telano released me for light duty."

 

"Good. I believe your shift starts in half an hour. That should give you enough time to change." With a slight smile, Moose turned back to the padds on his desk.

 

Knowing without having to be told that he had been dismissed, he headed back to his quarters to change. He wondered how Dana was going to take this. He hoped she wouldn't think he was deserting her, but tactical was a chance for him to advance. He had hoped he could stay a Marine, but if it meant moving back to Starfleet, he would accept the change.

 

Standing in front of his mirror he pinned on his Lt Commander pips, hoping there hadn't been a change in his rank too. It felt strange to be back in a Starfleet uniform, he had gotten used to being a Marine. As he stepped onto the bridge and took up his post, suddenly it felt right.

 

No matter the uniform or post, he belonged on the Arcadia.