Coming Home

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

Coming Home

A joint log by Amanda Davis and Nick Lepage

 

 

Amid the chaos of the station Amanda’s office was a haven of tranquility and comfort. The armchairs, the smell of tea and the ever present scones made it easy to relax, something that Nick had come to appreciate. But escaping the station’s stressful life was not the only reason he stopped by often. Amanda had become a good friend and he had learned to value her advice. She was one of the few people he had truly missed during the time on Earth. So, while his enthusiasm to return to Aegis was somewhat limited, Nick was looking forward to this opportunity to catch up with his friend.

 

As a civilian attached to Starfleet, Amanda wore the dresses she would have worn at home in Wales: soft, flowing skirts, casual long-sleeved blouses, and the occasional silk scarf - all understated, for relaxation. Her office looked more like a living room with a den attached - the living room being her reception area and the den being the office. Her furniture, inherited from generations past, had the gentle, warm smell of leather and potpourri, with a touch of expensive pipe tobacco from a vice in which both her father and grandfather had indulged.

 

“Here we go, Nicolas,” said Amanda. Tea tray in hand, her skirt rustled a bit as she approached the sofa. “Darjeeling, no milk, one sugar.”

 

Nick watched her put the tray on the table and for a moment he felt like he had never been gone. “Your memory is excellent. Not that I’d have expected anything else from you.” He took his cup and stared at the dark liquid inside. “It’s good to know that some things don’t change,” he added with a smile.

 

“Yes, it is,” she replied, an impish grin playing as she poured and served. “To know that the universe may come to a complete halt and there would still be Darjeeling is quite comforting. And how one of your dearest friends takes his tea is difficult to forget.” Leather cushions sighed as she settled in for her first sip.

 

“I haven’t had tea since I left the station. Doing this again is probably going to be the best thing about coming back. To be honest, I didn’t exactly volunteer for this assignment.”

 

“Really, Nicolas?” she said with a touch of light hearted sarcasm. “Not volunteer to return to the edge of nowhere where you never know who or what is going to destroy your existence next?” She dropped the sarcasm. “I’m sure you had a very good reason, and I’m quite sure you’re not here for the fresh Darjeeling, even though it’s ever so difficult to come by nowadays, and one of the most well-stocked cupboards is mine.”

 

Nick forced a grin. “You should hope Chirakis will actually give me an office here on the station. Otherwise I’ll move in with you and plunder that well-stocked cupboard of yours. Might get a little bit cramped though.”

 

“I prefer cozy.” She smiled.

 

Nick shrugged, opened his mouth to say something but then changed his mind. He did not know what to say or if he even wanted to discuss what was on his mind.

 

After a long pause Amanda put aside her cup and leaned forward, trying to meet his averted gaze. "You didn't just come here for tea, Nicolas," she said, stern but sincere.

 

Nick set his cup back on the tray without ever drinking any of his tea. “I never actually told you why I requested to be transferred to Earth, did I?”

 

"No."

 

“Well, six months ago DJ’s brother and his wife were in an accident. They...euh...didn’t make it.”

 

“I’m so sorry,” Amanda offered.

 

“DJ had to go back to Earth to take care of her nephew and niece. Of course I couldn’t stay here. So I requested to be transferred and it was approved. The job wasn’t quite as exciting as out here but you kinda get used to going home to your family in the evening and nothing blowing up around you.” Nick paused. It was actually not easy coming to terms with the reality that he was back on Aegis and talking about DJ and the kids did not make things any better.

 

“Long story short, when I got orders to come back here I did seriously consider resigning from Starfleet.”

 

Amanda added quietly, “And yet, here you are.”

 

“Here I am and I really don’t know if I should be.” He looked pleadingly at Amanda, not quite sure himself what he was expecting. Was it approval for his decision to leave his family behind? Or was he hoping for Amanda to tell him to get on the next ship back to Earth?

 

“It must be important, or you would not have come; it’s your nature.”

 

“Actually, you’re right. It is important. Since the Breen disappeared Starfleet Intelligence has been monitoring the region for any interesting activity. Apparently, we’ve lately received a request for assistance from Portas V. It looks like some former Breen slaves have settled there and, since they are low on resources, they have run into some problems. Most notably, they are dealing with the outbreak of a mysterious disease. My research on Earth was mainly connected to that. I am here to supervise the Federation’s efforts to help the colony.”

 

Nick fell silent. Each met the other’s eyes as though wondering what to do or say next, or if, perhaps, the conversation should stop there altogether. Sometimes it’s better not to question. Other times it’s best to question and get the facts straight, but then you risk finding out that what you suspect is true.

 

Finally Amanda shifted slightly against the leather cushions. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re not telling me the full story, Nicolas? Of course, if it’s a matter of security, I certainly understand. Otherwise....” she left door open.

 

Nick sighed, not really sure what to tell her. The details were complicated and the memories painful.

 

“The real reason why I am here is because I led the research on a similar disease just after I’d first arrived here. A mysterious epidemic threatened to wipe out the Rixians and the former Breen slaves have a DNA similar to them. I suspect they are of Rixian descent. Anyway, we never managed to find a cure back then and it doesn’t look any better now, I’m afraid. Still, as desperate as the situation looks for those colonists, I’m their best bet. So you can see, the decision whether to stay on Earth or come back was actually not a difficult one. It’s just that I don’t like it.”

 

"You're conflicted. You're torn between two noble choices: your duty to your physicians creed and your duty to your family."

 

Nick considered Amanda’s words carefully before responding. “As noble as it might be to take care of my family there are hundreds of lives at stake. The needs of the many...” He did not finish the sentence.

 

Both Nick and Amanda knew there was nothing more to say so they sat together and sipped their tea in silence.