Going Home Again

[John Randall 0]

OFFICIAL LOG

LIEUTENANT JOHN RANDALL

USS CHALLENGER

 

(Personal Log Stardate 11409.08)

 

John and Rick took the family groundcar to the terminal of the Centauran spacedock. Rick's craft was docked there, and the brothers caught the next shuttle to the spacedock after a fifteen minute wait. They disembarked, and the brothers walked over to the airlock which would allow them to enter the craft. They boarded the craft, and John headed immediately for the small engineering compartment.

 

Rick followed behind him, and watched in awe as his big brother found the problem in the plasma manifold in about 90 seconds. John directed Rick on what tools he needed, and, about 1 hour later, had the problem repaired. The Starfleet engineer then went to the forward compartment, and directed the craft's computer on the purging of the manifolds. When it was all said and done about 30 minutes later, Rick, sitting in the co-pilot's chair, shook his head at his brother.

 

"I gotta hand it to ya, big brother," he said. "You really know your way around an engine." John smiled. "Sometimes the training comes in handy when I'm away from Starfleet," he said. "Come on, I'm famished. Mom's supposed to have dinner waiting on us." "I'm all for that," smiled Rick, and the brothers left the craft. They rode the shuttle back down to the terminal, and took the groundcar back to the house.

 

There was another groundcar parked outside the home as they pulled up, and the brothers looked at each other as they exited the groundcar. They made their way into the house, and both men stopped dead in their tracks. Sitting on the couch beside their mother was their sister, Victoria. The Starfleet Academy medical trainee smiled at Rick, who entered first, and then screamed when she saw her big brother, John.

 

The two siblings hadn't seen each other for almost 4 years, and John stood there in total shock at seeing his sister. Vicki then ran to her brother, and threw her arms around his neck, sobbing with joy, and holding him tight. John was overwhelmed himself, and stood there holding his sister. Denise and Rick were standing beside each other, watching them. Both were wiping away tears as well. Vicki finally released him a little, her arms still tight around John's neck, and kissed him soundly on the cheek. "Oh my god, I can't believe you're here, Johnny," she said through her tears, and her brother returned the kiss. "Right back atcha, sis," he replied, and Vicki laughed. "Oh, it's been ages since I've heard you say that," she said, and hugged him again.

 

"Come over here and sit with me," she continued, leading him to the couch. They sat down, and Vicki put both arms around his midsection. "Now, I want to hear about your travels aboard the Challenger," she said, and John laughed. "I was so proud of you when you graduated from the Academy," she said. "And, I was even prouder when you told Mom you were going to serve aboard Challenger. There's a lot of stories floating around about that ship, and I relish the moments when I can say, 'My brother is on that ship.' You should see some of the looks I get," she finished, smiling, and John laughed again.

 

"Well, what do you say we hold off until after dinner," he said. "Right now, I'm starving. Let's go eat." Vicki laughed. "Same old Johnny, always hungry," she teased. "I have to admit, though, to being a little hungry myself. And, I don't want to hear anything out of you," she said, shaking a finger in mock anger at Rick, who immediately adopted a hurt look on his face. "But, I didn't do anything," he said with a downcast expression, and both of his siblings burst out laughing. Denise stood in the kitchen doorway, smiling. "It's been a long time since I've heard my children laugh in this house," she said. "Come on, it's on the table."

 

Vicki went to Rick and gave him a big hug as they all got up out of their seats. She linked arms with both her brothers, and they went into the kitchen together. They all sat down at the table, which was full of food. "Mom, you've got enough here to feed an army," gasped Vicki as they sat down. "No, that side of the table is all for Rick," said John, and they all burst out laughing. "I'll get you for that, big brother," Rick said, and his brother only grinned.

 

As the meal commenced, John looked over to his mother. "Mom, when's the last time you heard from Jimmy?" he said. Denise sighed. "It's been close to a year now," she said. "I worry about him." The three siblings looked at each other. Their brother James was a pilot of a ship in the Starfleet Border Patrol, one of the most dangerous jobs in Starfleet. John knew some of the horror stories firsthand, and kept his thoughts to himself as he ate. Vicki asked, "Do you know which border he's on, Mom?" Denise sighed again. "The Klingon side," she said, and Vicki and Rick both looked at John, who kept his gaze downward as he ate. The atmosphere in the house changed noticeably as the family ate.

 

After the meal, Vicki helped her mother clean up, and the brothers went into the living area. Rick turned on the holovid, and said, "That's right, Game 3 of the Centauran World Series is tonight. You came at a good time, big brother." John grinned. "Actually, I knew it was coming on tonight," he said. "I accessed the McIverton website before I came here." Rick shook his head. "I should have known," he moaned, and John laughed. The women came into the room, and Vicki put her hands over her eyes. "Oh, lord, null-G ball," she mockingly moaned, and both John and Rick regarded her with amusement. She sat down beside John on the sofa, and asked resignedly, "So who's playing?" Rick answered, "New Athens vs. McIverton, Game 3." Vicki perked up a little at that. "Does New Athens have Gary Rappaport on their team?" she asked, and both brothers looked at her. "Yeah, they do," said Rick, making eye contact with John.

 

"Oh, well, this might be interesting, then," Vicki answered nonchalantly, and John looked at her until she felt his gaze on her. "What?" she asked innocently, and her brother smiled. "Nothing," he shrugged, turning his gaze back to the holovid, and Vicki elbowed hm in the side. "Don't you start, John Marcus," she warned, and he looked innocently at her. Denise and Rick were both grinning. "I didn't say anything," he protested, and his sister eyed him narrowly. "I'm stopping you before you do," she said menacingly, and John burst out laughing. "All right, all right," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. Vicki smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm really glad you're here, Johnny," she said, and snuggled against him on the sofa.

 

"That makes two of us, Vicki," he replied, kissing her on top of the head. "I have really missed you, sister mine," he concluded, and Vicki squeezed him. The family watched the McIverton Druids win a close contest 14-12 in the null-G ball game, cheering and groaning at the same time. When it was over, John let out a tremendous yawn, and tried to cover it, unsuccessfully. Denise smiled at him. "You are ready for bed, my son,"she said, and he nodded. "It's been a full day," he agreed. "It's bedtime for all of you," Denise continued, and both Vicki and Rick nodded, smiling. "I can't remember the last time my children were under the same roof with me," said their mother. "It's wonderful to have all of you here."

 

The three siblings got up out of their seats, and went to their mother, each hugging her. "Now, off to bed with you," Denise said. "I'll see you all in the morning." The family said their goodnights, and each went to their room. Vicki hugged both her brothers outside their rooms, holding on to John a little longer. "It's a dream that I'm going to have breakfast with my handsome brother," she said, smiling at him. "How long are you staying, Johnny?" "About another day and a half," he replied. "Then I have to report back to Challenger for our next mission."

 

She nodded, then tears came into her eyes, and John looked at her, concerned. "Oh, I promised myself I wasn't going to do this," she moaned, biting her lip. She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "I worry about you," she whispered, her bottom lip quivering. "I'm so proud of you, and what you've become, but sometimes, Johnny, I get so scared something's going to happen to you," she continued, and buried her head in his chest. "Hey, now," he soothed. "You know me, I'm always careful. And, I'm serving with a good crew. We look out for each other." Vicki raised her head, and looked at him. "You're not always careful," she said. "I know better than that. You were always too much like Daddy, but I learned to live with it. You made me a promise before you left that you would be careful. After hearing some of the stories about Challenger, I want you to promise me again that you'll be careful. You swear it to me, John Marcus Randall," she finished sternly, and he smiled.

 

"I swear by all that's holy," he said, and she nodded. "I'm holding you to that, big brother," she said, then smiled. "Good night." "Night, sis," replied John, and she walked down the hall to her room. He entered his room, and closed the door. He took off his clothes, put on his pajamas, and tumbled into bed. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling. It felt really good to be home. He then turned off the light, and went to sleep.

 

The next 45 hours went all too swiftly for the Starfleet engineer, and it was time for the tearful goodbyes. Vicki and Denise both hugged him tightly, crying, and both admonished him to be careful. He reassured both of them, and waved goodbye as he and Rick climbed into the groundcar. The brothers made their way to the Centauran terminal, and caught the shuttle to the spacedock. They boarded the craft, and sped toward Earth. They arrived a few hours later, and Rick shook hands with his brother. "Be careful, J.R.; call as soon as you can," he said. John nodded. "I'll see you around, brother mine," he said, and climbed out of the craft. The brothers waved to each other, and Rick sped off. John watched the craft for a few moments until it merged with the stars, then pulled out his communicator. "Randall to Challenger; one to beam up," he said, and a few seconds later, the transporter beam took him.

 

END LOG