Lieutenant-Commander Chance Vought stood at the threshold between starship and starbase.  He didn’t need to be standing there to greet the last few members of his crew to arrive, it was just something he did, and had been doing over the past couple of days as people had returned; and if he wasn’t there, it would either be Lieutenant (JG) Jason Devron, his XO or Ensign Skova Tholakath, who covered tactical and security matters.

One of the crewmembers approached; canvas style bag slung over one shoulder, a smaller bag held firmly in the other hand.

“Welcome back Mister Lightwood.” Chance smiled warmly. “How is the family?”

“Doing well Sir.” Derek half sighed. “It’s not the same with dad and Scott around, but that’s to be expected.”

Vought knew of the circumstances behind Arthur Lightwood’s death and that of the man’s other son, Scott; Chance had been seconds away from his own demise on Frontier Day.  It had been a complete lottery as to who had survived and who hadn’t.

“Cassey just turned nine.” Lightwood continued, there was a glimmer in the young man’s eyes when he mentioned his nieces’ name.  “She’s determined to join Starfleet when she grows up.”

“Well if she’s as skilled and dedicated as her uncle, then she should do fine.”  Chance announced.

Crewman Lightwood smiled. “Thankyou Sir.”

As Lightwood disappeared down the corridor aboard the Grus; two more figures came into view.  Lieutenant (JG) Lyanna Stuart and Ensign Cho Hwa-yeon were clearly enjoying discussing what they’d been doing during their shore leave.

“Lieutenant, Ensign.” He nodded to both of them.  “Enjoy your time away?”

“It was wonderful.” Cho replied her eyes sparkling and a grin across her face.

Lyanna grabbed her Korean friends arm and hand; holding it up towards their Captain. “Chad only went and proposed to her, on the beach no less!”

Chance could see the small but beautifully cut diamond set into gold ring, now being worn by Cho.  Diamonds and gold no longer carried the same intrinsic value they once had; in fact as far back as the 21^st Century, when scientists had discover a way of creating diamonds in laboratory conditions, things had started to change, in regards to their value.  Diamonds had not however lost their status as a symbol of love between two people, and as Cho had discovered, this particular ring was close to 600 years old.

Chad had gone down on one knee, as they stood on the beach watching the sun set during their last but one day on Earth.  It was the same spot they’d been in when he’d asked if she’d be his girlfriend; and just like then, she’d said ‘yes’ without hesitation; before laughing and telling him to get up before the next wave came rushing in.  It wasn’t the wave he needed to worry about hitting him fast, but Max the families German Shepherd, who’d become very attached to Cho during her stay with the Harris’s.  The sight of both fiancé and dog ending up in a heap, moments before the sea came crashing over the pair of them, still made her laugh, even now.

It had been later that night, during a fireside chat with Chad’s mother, that Cho had discovered the significance of the ring to the Harris family.  The hug she’d given her future mother-in-law had been long and tear filled.

“Well, let me know when the two of you have made the arrangements.”  Vought stood to one side allowing space for the two female officers to board.

“You’ll be one of the first to know.” Cho replied.

“I, on the other hand have been far too busy to fall in love.” Stuart commented lightheartedly. “It was nice being back on the ‘Loch’ with the family, though.”

“May be one day Miss Stuart.” Chance called after her.

“Who’d ever put up with my temperament?” She shouted back from down the corridor.

“There a far worse people in the universe than you, Lieutenant.” The Captain said softly to himself.  Only seven more crew to arrive, and then everyone would be on board.  Things were running to schedule, just how Vought liked it.

His own time away had done him good; and he could safely say his skiing had now improved considerably from when he was 14.  At least he hadn’t ended up face first in a snow drift, this time.  He’d seriously consider going back in the future; though without Doctor de Havilland.  Frank was not a man best suited to colder climates, a thing Chance might have to take into consideration during away missions.

**********

Lieutenant Frank de Havilland may have been the second ranking officer aboard the USS Grus, but he had never taken the ‘Bridge Officers Course’, which was why he wasn’t the First Officer.  He’d never felt the need in the past and having turned 60 at the beginning of the year; didn’t see the point now.  He was perfectly happy, just being a doctor.

Doctor de Havilland had returned with the Captain, five days ago, along with one other person.  Telina, the young Andorian female, who had served them breakfast on most morning during their stay at the Lazy Pines Mountain Resort, turned out to be a nurse in her final year of training.  She was at the ski resort during her holiday as a favour to a friend.

As the Grus only had one nurse amongst the crew, both Captain and Chief Medical Officer, had collectively asked Cadet Telina to join the crew; with the aim of furthering her training.  She’d agreed after clearing things with her tutor, back at the Academy.

Nurse Telina was currently doing calibration tests on a pair of replacement medical tricorders.  One appeared to be reading her bio signs perfectly, whilst the other was suggesting she was in need of urgent medical attention.

She handed the device to doctor de Havilland who looked it over, pressed a few commands, which made little or no difference, and then handed it back to her.  “See if you can get someone from Engineering to give it the once over.” He decided.  “You’ll be interacting with members from other department, so you may as well start now.”

**********

Lieutenant (JG) Dinari Lyambo had just sent one of his team of to Sickbay to take a look take a look at a faulty piece of equipment; when Lieutenant (JG) Jason Devron, the ships First Officer walking into Main Engineering.

“How’s everything going?” Jason asked the Chief Engineer and his friend.

“The few minor issues flagged up by our last mission are all sorted out now.” Dinari answered.  “So we are good to go, when the Captain gives the word.”

“The plan is to be underway at 0900 hours, station time.” Jason confirmed, though he knew the Chief would already be aware of that. “Sorry I haven’t had the chance to catch up with you until now.”

“Did you actually take any shore leave?” Dinari asked.

“I spent it on the station as a matter of fact.”

“How is Doctor Andrianakis?”

“Oh she’s fine.  Busy with her training and everything.”

The young Nigerian could sense something wasn’t quite right with his friend.  “That bad?”

“Let’s just say, I’m not sure if that ship has sailed or not.” Jason looked down at the floor, reflecting on his feelings.

“Don’t remind me about ships, please.”

“Why, what happened?”

“Don’t laugh, but I feel overboard.”

Jason managed to stifle a giggle by coughing, but nearly made himself chock in the process. “How?”

“I was travelling on sailing ship designed to look like a Sloop, whatever that means?” Dinari recalled. “The John B. We got caught up in a storm, and I ended up on some Island beach somewhere.

“What happened to the ship and everyone else?” Jason asked concerned.

“The ship and everyone else was fine, a bit seasick may be, I just got swept off by a freak wave.”

“Well I’m glad you’re in one piece at least.”

Dinari didn’t tell his friend that his only reason for being on the ship, in the first place; was his pursuit of female companionship.  That plan had gone overboard, and he never got to find out how delightful Daisy was to be with.  But one of his rescuers had certainly proved a wonderful distraction.  He had her details, but whether he sought her out again in the future, was a different matter.