Lori and Hok materialized in the transporter room on deck 5 of the Eagle.  With the transporter operator, was Captain Kirby.

“Doctor Weaver.  Mister Hok.  It’s good to have you back.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Hok, stepping down from the platform.

Lori paused a second before coming down herself.

“I want both of you to take the day off to get settled in,” said Kirby.  “There’s no rush to get back to work.”

“If it’s all the same to you, sir, I want to get back to medical.  I need to be me again,” said Lori.  She could see Matt studying her.

“I understand,” said Kirby.  “Mister Hok, you’ll find there’s been a few changes in security while you were away.”  He smiled.  “It’s good to see you.”

“I look forward to seeing what’s different,” said Hok.  “Thank you again, Captain.”

After Hok left the room, Kirby dismissed the transporter operator, leaving him alone with Lori, both looking into the other’s eyes.

“I missed you,” said Kirby.  “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.  I worried every day.”

Lori’s lips quivered and her cheeks turned a warm red.  Moving slowly towards Matt, she stopped only inches away.  “I missed you, too,” her voice a whisper.

Serving together on the same ship, Lori and Matt had become more than Captain and CMO, more than friends.  There was a connection, a bond, though it was never romantic or intimate.  Standing with Matt now, Lori wondered if it was time to change that.

“Are you back for good or do you need to go somewhere to testify in court?” said Matt, who seemed to sense her thoughts.

“Hok and I might need to testify, but Commander Perry said we accumulated so much evidence, it was likely there wouldn’t be a trial,” said Lori, relieved the conversation had taken a change in direction.  “There’s also a clause in a regulation somewhere that allows for the true identities of undercover operatives to remain sealed.  You’re stuck with me, Captain.”

“That’s fine with me,” said Kirby.  He motioned toward the door.  “Chief Thomas is waiting and who knows what stories he’ll tell about us being alone here.”

Lori chuckled.  “I’m sure tales have already been told.”

Kirby hmphed.

“So what’s been going on around here?  What changes did you make in security?” said Lori.

Matt and Lori walked out of the transporter room.  “It’s all yours, Chief.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Commander Allen is exclusively XO now, and we have a new Chief of Security,” said Kirby.

“Anyone I know?” said Lori.

“As a matter of fact, you do, and there she is now,” said Kirby.

Lori followed Matt’s gaze, gasping when she saw who it was.

“Izi!”  Lori ran down the corridor, the two friends throwing themselves into a joyous hug.

It’s good things are back to normal again, thought Kirby.