Homecoming

Captain's Log ~ Stardate: 51288.2. We are at Utopia Planitia while repairs continue on the Missouri. While the repairs that Commander O'Roarke and his engineering staff made in the field were more than adequate to get us home. The Starfleet Safety Board dictates that the deuterium storage tanks be replaced and the new hull places gamma welded in place. This puts us in space dock another two weeks. I have been being debriefed on the events on Airmes. No one has asked about my involvement with Starfleet Intelligence and I hope it stays that way. I have authorized shore leave for all personnel and many have chosen to go to Earth. I am tempted to go myself, but I have been asked to assist work on strategies for the defense of Sector 001 and the retaking of Betazed. End recording.

Duncan MacDermott, Captain of the Starship Missouri entered the engineering deck. The area was strangely empty and quiet. There was something disquieting about looking at the dark warpcore. MacDermott made his way to the deuterium storage tank area. The doors opened, six feet into the storage deck a force field had been erected to hold in the atmosphere. Beyond the force field was open to space, or more exactly, the interior of one of the construction pods. Just beyond the force field he could see Connor, in a pressure suit with magnetic boots directing a pod carrying the new tanks. MacDermott pressed a button on the wall. Now he could communicate with O'Roarke and the work pods.

"...Slow, slow, lower, lower." O'Roarke commanded with his gloved hands as well as his voice.

Duncan pressed the button opening his channel. "How goes it?"

O'Roarke turned and gave him a thumbs up, then immediately yelled as the tanks began to rise. "NO. NOT YOU. LOWER and slow down."

Duncan said simply. "Carry on." He didn't want to interfere anymore than he already had.

"DAMMIT PHIL. I SAID SLOW DOWN." Connor yelled as the tanks hit the deck a little harder than they should have. It wasn't enough to damage them just scare the Chief Engineer. Duncan smiled as he left the deck to the sounds of O'Roarke swearing at the worker pod pilot.

"Bridge to Captain MacDermott." Melora's voice called over the speaker.

"MacDermott here."

She responded. "A personal message for you from Earth, Captain. I routed it to your ready room."

"Thank you." He said with a smile thinking of her.

Duncan exited the lift at the rear of the bridge to see only a couple of people tending to the operation of the starship. Melora was using the time in dock to hone her skills at the Ops station. Lieutenant Kelley was taking this time to get checked out on Halifax class attack craft. Kelley was always keeping up with latest and greatest things that fly. Commander Costello was on Earth seeing some old academy friends. Commander Kern was also on earth taking care of the divorce from his wife, Anya.

Melora smiled at him as he walked past. "A message from Starfleet Command has come in for you. I routed it to your ready room." She told him

"Thanks." He replied with lopsided grin. More damned administrative type work to do. He thought as the doors to his ready room closed behind him. He walked to the replicator. "Tea, with honey, hot." The mug shimmered into being. Duncan took a drink and closed his eyes as the tea went down his throat. "Hmmm. That's good." He said to no one. "Let's see." He said out loud as he picked the message from Starfleet Command. The console screen changed from the Federation symbol to a text message that read.

To:       Commander USS MISSOURI
From:   Fleet Admiral Wright CINCFIFTHFLEET
RE:       Promotion of Commander Thomas Kern.

It is my pleasure to inform you that Commander Kern has accepted the promotion to Captain and will take
 command of the Tomahawk class USS Apache, NCC-74235 on Stardate 51295.

Sincerely,
Wright M. Fleet Admiral Fifth Fleet.

Duncan smiled. MacDermott had thought after Tom bucked orders and followed the Talosians to Talos IV that he'd never get a command of his own. Duncan thought to himself. Tom will make a great Captain. I wonder when he found out.

Duncan opened the other message. It was from his sister Heather. The message opened to show his beautiful sister, by the look of her eyes she'd been crying. Something was wrong. Duncan played the message. He picked up his mug as the message began. "Hi Duncan." She said trying to sound cheerful. "Who am I trying to kid? We need you at home. Dad's been in an accident." The words struck him hard. She started to cry again. "He's dead, Duncan." The last words hit him even harder. He dropped the mug spilling tea all over the desk. "Please come as soon as you can. I love you. See you soon."

Duncan just sat there and stared at the screen as the message ended and the tea dripped onto the floor. He missed his father already. The three of them had been very close, Duncan, his father and this brother Ian. Their father had taught them how to be men, honest, loyal, honorable. He'd taught them how to treat a woman. Everything that Duncan MacDermott was, he owed his father. He sat there for a couple of minutes more before tapping his combadge. "Lieutenant Ito, please report to my ready room." He ordered softly.

A few seconds later Melora walked in and immediately noticed the mess and that Duncan's eyes were welled up with tears. Once the doors closed behind her she asked. "What's wrong?"

Duncan stood up and approached her. "I have to go home to Glenfinnan. It would mean a lot to me if you were there with me. My father..." The words caught in his throat. "...My father is dead."

Melora was stunned. She'd met his father, when she made her trip to Glenfinnan after her experience in the mirror universe. Immediately the man treated her like his own daughter. "What? How?" She took him in her arms and held him.

"I don't know. Heather said it was an accident." He said holding her tight. "I've got to get down there." He said assuming the air of command again. He would mourn later. He tapped his combadge. "Connor, This is the Captain."

"Yes, sir." O'Roarke responded. Duncan could tell he was still in an EVA suit. He didn't want to dump this on him with all the work that was going on; but Connor was the senior officer on board.

"Connor, I have a family emergency I have to attend to. You are in command until Mr. Kern or Commander Costello return." Duncan explained.

"Understood Sir." Connor said. "Sir, if there is anything..."

Duncan appreciated the sentiment. "Thanks Connor. I should be back in a few days. MacDermott out."

Duncan looked at Melora and forced a smile. "Do you have anything that you need to finish before we leave?" He asked her.

She thought for a moment. "No, I was just going through some Ops simulations." Melora said returning his smile.

"Good, I'd like to leave within the hour." Duncan told her.

She just nodded and followed him out of the ready room. He paused at the tactical station. "T'Gerran, Lt. Ito and I will be leaving the ship. Mr. O'Roarke is in command. You have the bridge until he's done with his EVA work." MacDermott told the big Klingon.

T'Gerran nodded and said. "Yes Sir."

Duncan stepped into the lift with Melora knowing his ship was in good hands. Now he could concentrate on getting home and helping his mother and family through this tragedy.

Kern left the hearing room and walked slowly down the hall. His heels clicked on the marble floor.

"TOM!" Came the voice from behind him. He had hoped not to have to talk her. He was having a hard enough time with this divorce.

He stopped and turned. As she caught up with him Kern said. "What is it, Anya?"

"Tom, I just wanted to say…" She started to say.

Kern knew what she was going to say and he really didn't want to hear it. "Anya, I know what you're going to say; and I don't care." He lied. He did care, but what was the point. He wasn't going to give up his career, especially not now.

"Tom, I AM sorry that things turned out like this. I didn't plan on it."

Kern wanted to believe her, but part of him wouldn't allow it. "Anya, I need to come and get my things. Will you be home later?" He said very professionally. There was no emotion in his voice.

Anya sighed and she flushed as her eyes welled up with tears. "I'll be home." She said, then she turned and she was gone.

Kern turned and walked out of the courthouse. At the bottom of the stairs outside he said to no one. "I need a drink."

Amanda approached the door to the apartment they had shared. The two of them were quite an item while they were at the academy. After graduation he took a position at the academy; she went off to find the stars. They agreed the day she left to see other people. She hadn't though, seriously. There had been men. They seemed drawn to her. Maybe it was her eyes, the purple color was fascinating to non-Xenexians, maybe her long red hair, or maybe it was her body. Amanda took pride in her body and it showed. She shook those thoughts out of her mind as she pressed the buzzer.

A few seconds later, the door opened to show a petite blond woman carrying a small child. "Yes," the woman said. "May I help you?" The women asked politely.

"Is this Jacob Marrow's home?" Amanda asked. She wasn't sure if she wanted the answer.

The woman looked at the beautiful redhead standing in the door wanting to talk to her husband and wondered what she wanted to see him about. "Yes, it is, but Jacob isn't home right now. May I help you?"

Amanda was stunned. He'd gone off and gotten married and had children. Well what did you expect? She asked herself. You were off exploring the galaxy. Did you just expect him to sit in this apartment and wait for you? "No." Amanda told the woman and herself. "I'm sorry to trouble you." She said as she quickly left the woman standing there with a look of confusion on her face.

Amanda left the building as the dam broke and she began to cry. A few blocks away, Amanda stopped on a bench and wiped her eyes. I could use a drink.

The voice on the speaker announced. "We have arrived at the Aberdeen space port. Please disembark in an orderly fashion." Duncan stood and got out of the way so Melora could squeeze into the aisle. After retrieving their bags from the compartment the two of them left the small shuttle.

Once outside Duncan breathed deep. Ah, It even smells like home. He thought to himself.

"The transporter station is over here." Melora told him pointing.

Duncan took her arm. "Let's rent an aircar it'll only take a couple of hours to get there." Duncan told her. Part of me is in no hurry to get there. He didn't say.

"Alright." Melora said. "But you know, you're going to have to face this eventually." She admonished him while squeezing his hand.

"God, am I that transparent?" He asked rolling his eyes.

Ito looked at him and smiled. "Only to me, Duncan, only to me."

Ten minutes later, the aircar was on its way to Glenfinnan.

Kern sat in the small bar and nursed a beer. It was a real beer. Tom wondered how many other Starfleet marriages had been broken up by one's need to be in space. He took a long drink and sat the empty mug down on the table. He looked up to see Amanda Costello walking into the bar. She approached the bar without seeing him and ordered a drink. The bartender returned with a small glass full of a green liquid. She threw the liquid down her throat and tapped the glass on the bar. The bartender poured her another. Kern watched as this ritual continued for sometime. Amanda stopped and sat on one of the barstools looking at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar.

After a while one of the bar's more surly patrons decided he would be the best thing for this woman. From Kern's place he couldn't hear what they were saying, but from Amanda's body language, Tom could tell she didn't want this guy around. Kern got up and walked toward the bar.

The barfly said. "Come on, baby, just one dance, then we can go some place special." The drunk slurred his words.

Amanda looked at him through blurry purple eyes. "No. Just leave me alone." She was slurring her words just has badly.

Kern walked up just as the drunk started to pull Amanda away by the arm. She was too drunk to put up much of a fight. Kern stood in front of the drunk and put his hand on the man's chest stopping him. Kern looked down at the floor and asked. "Where are you going with her?"

The drunk smiled. "Me and her's gonna party. You got a problem with that?" The drunk asked letting go of Amanda's wrist.

"Yeah. I do. I heard her say she didn't want to go. So I say she stays." Kern began.

The drunk looked at him. "And who are you?"

"I'm the one who's going to give you one of three choices. 1. You can leave and it's all over. 2. You can explain this all to Starfleet security, or 3. I can kick your ass all over this bar then you can explain it all to Starfleet security." Kern smiled hoping the guy would choose number 3.

The drunk could almost see what Kern was thinking. He stammered. "Um uh. I think I'll just be going."

Kern nodded at him and smirked. "Good choice." Tom watched as the man left the bar.

Amanda looked up at him. "Thanks Tom."

Kern just shook his head. He looked at the bartender and said. "Coffee, extra strong, black." Kern helped Amanda to the table he was sitting at earlier.

The bartender delivered the coffee and said. "Thanks, that guy is always in here making trouble. You Starfleet too?"

Kern looked up at him. "Yeah. We're on the same ship." He said looking at Amanda as she sipped the coffee.

"You guys are doing a great job out there. I was on the Exodus till I retired last year." The bartender said before adding. "By the way, your drinks are on the house."

Kern said. "Thanks, but."

"I insist. One fleeter to another." The bartender smiled.

"Ok. Thanks." Kern smiled. He didn't have the heart to tell the man that the Exodus had been destroyed last month with all hands. This damned war. He thought to himself.

Amanda put her empty cup on the table. "Thanks Tom. I feel a lot better now." Her head was still spinning but it was beginning to slow down some.

"What were you putting away like that?" Kern asked her noticing her eyes.

She thought for a moment, her forehead furrowed in concentration. "It was green."

One side of Tom's mouth curled up in a smile. "Green huh?" He watched her drink three more cups of coffee. If it was as strong as it smelled she's not going to sleep for a week. Tom thought. The two of them explained to each other how they had come to be at this bar.

Amanda had never heard what led to the fight that night before mission with the Shadow Horseman. She knew that Tom was getting a divorce but she didn't know what the cause was. Amanda had heard the rumors, but she didn't want to pry.

Figuring she may not want to be alone Kern asked her. "I need to do something. Would you mind coming with me?" He explained that his things were still at his house. "It's just something I don't want to do alone."

"Sure. If you don't think it would cause a problem." She said.

Kern thought. "No it won't be a problem, and thanks."

Two hours later they stood in front of the house. "So this is your house?" Costello asked.

"Was. I gave it to her. I didn't want it anymore. I was never there anyway." He explained. A wave a sentiment washed over him.

"That was nice of you." She said smiling sarcastically.

'Humph." He said as they started up the walk.

The aircar sat down quietly outside of MacDermott's home. The fog was rolling in off the Loch. It gave the whole village an eerie stillness. The quiet was broken by the sound. "DUNCAN." His sister, Heather's voice rang out.

Duncan turned just in time to catch his younger sister as she leapt into his arms. The older MacDermott spun his sister around and smiled. He put her down and looked at her. "You look great Heather."

"You look good yourself, brother." She said as she stepped over to Melora and hugged her too. "And you too; keeping him in line?" She sister laughed.

"Hello Heather. I try." She chided Duncan.

Duncan picked up their bags and followed his sister and Melora into the house. Once inside Duncan and Melora greeted his mother and other family members gathered there. After a few hours of talk it was just Duncan and his mother sitting in front of the fire. "Mom, it's good to be home. I wish it was under better circumstances." He said taking his mother's hand.

"Me too, Duncan." She started to cry.

Duncan put his arm around her and held her. His own eyes welled up with tears. "Mom, tell me about the accident."

She sniffed. "He was coming back from Edinburgh. His aircar crashed. He never regained consciousness."

"Have you had the aircar looked at to find out what happened?" Duncan asked knowing his father was too good for it to have been his fault.

His mother looked at him. "Yes. They didn't find anything wrong. The FrostCorp mechanic said the car was fine."

"FrostCorp? What happened to Malcolm Connery?" Duncan asked.

She looked at him. "You wouldn't have heard, would you? Malcolm was bought out. A lot of the people in Glenfinnan have been. FrostCorp is buying up all the land around this end of the Loch."

"Why? What's FrostCorp?" Duncan wanted to know more.

"Some big corporation. They're buying up all the land for a development." She said sadly.

Duncan took her hand again. "Have they asked you and Dad about selling?" He got sad thinking about his Dad.

"Yes. A man has been here a couple of times. The last time he was here was the day before your father's accident. We didn't want to sell though. You know how long this ground has been MacDermott ground. Almost a thousand years, Duncan." She started to cry again. "A thousand years." She whispered.

"Come on, Mom. Let's get you in bed. It's been a long day." Duncan helped his mom up and shut her door. He stared at the fire until his mother's room grew quiet. Only then did he put the fire out and get into bed.

Melora asked him. "Is everything O.K.? Your mother sounded pretty upset."

"Yeah, there's a corporation buying up a lot of the land around here and my father's accident. I can't help but wonder if the two are related somehow." Duncan whispered.

"That's your suspicious nature." Melora lay on his shoulder and put her hand on his chest as he put his other arm behind his head and stared at the ceiling. In a few minutes he could tell Melora was asleep by the pace of her breathing. He lay awake for a long time, before he decided to pay the offices of Frost Corp. a visit.

Kern knocked on the door as Costello stood behind him. The door opened to show the man the Kern had beaten the last time he was in this house. At least Anya is faithful to him. He thought to himself as they entered the house. The man backed away keeping a close eye on Kern's hands. That's right you'd better keep an eye on me. Kern laughed. "Is Anya here? I've come for my things."

"She's in the other room. Your stuff is in those boxes." He said pointing to two small boxes in the corner.

"Thanks." Kern said. For nothing. He didn't add.

Tom looked around the house. She hadn't changed things much. He went over and picked up the two boxes. Anya still hadn't come out yet. Maybe she was avoiding him. Tom put the boxes down at the door and approached the man. "Sheerin right?" Tom said extending his hand. Tom remembered dragging him out of the closet where he'd been hiding.

"Yeah. David Sheerin." The guy said wearily.

"Take care of her, understand." Kern leaned a little closer and whispered. "If you don't, if you do anything to hurt her. I'll break every bone in your body." Kern said his voice was so devoid of emotion; Kern might as well have asked him for the time. He took his hand back and picked the boxes up. Kern and Amanda left the house.

On the sidewalk, Amanda asked him. "What did you say to him?" She asked noticing the look on the man's face and grin Tom had since they'd left the house.

"I told him to take care of her." Tom said smugly.

"That was nice." She said, "Take care of her or what?" Amanda asked sensing something more.

"Or?" Tom continued to play his game. He chuckled. "Or...I said, I'd break every bone in his body." Tom kept walking and smiling.

Amanda laughed. "You're a good man, Commander Kern." She laughed again. "Let's get a drink, it's time to celebrate." She said pulling on his arm.

He looked at her incredulously. "Celebrate what? I just got divorced; you just found out someone you used to be involved with has gotten married. What's there to celebrate?"

"Exactly. No use sitting around moping. Let's have some fun." She told him. Kern thought of a moment. What do I have to lose? I could think of worse ways to spend an evening than with her. "You're on."

Anya walked out of the bedroom. "Is he gone?"

"Yeah." Sheerin stammered.

She walked up and kissed him. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't face him. You understand don't you?" Anya asked sweetly.

"Yeah, I understand." Remembering Kern's threat. "I understand." He whispered.

Two hours later the two of them were sitting in under a tree in Golden Gate Park with a bottle of wine drinking toasts and laughing up a storm. Kern said. "Right over there is where Admiral Kirk and his crew landed in the stolen Bird of Prey when they brought the whales back from the 20th century."

"Really." Amanda said seriously then burst out laughing.

Kern looked at her. "Amanda, we really ought to get back to the ship."

"You're right. That's why you're the XO." She burst out laughing again and so did Kern. He didn't know why. He just did.

Kern stood up and extended his hand. Amanda took it. Tom pulled a little too hard; the two of them were just inches from each other. Kern stared into purple seas that made up her eyes and was lost for a moment. "We really gotta get going." He said abruptly, breaking the spell.

"Yeah." She agreed.

MacDermott woke to the smell of bacon frying. He noticed that Melora was already up and about. He rose slowly, his old bed felt good, as did the real sunlight beaming through the window. He went into the bathroom, showered and shaved. He looked in the mirror and for a moment he was six years old looking up at his father as he shaved. His father used an antique razor. The kind with removable blades. He had brought one home for Duncan. The two of them used to shave together every morning. Duncan's mother was mortified when Duncan announced at breakfast one morning that he needed more after shave lotion; until his father had explained it all to her. He looked into the mirror and said. "I miss you, Dad." He wiped the remaining shaving cream from his face and went out to get dressed. Being late fall in Scotland he put on an old pair of jeans. Getting kind of tight. I'll have to work this off. Over the jeans he threw on an ivory sweater. "Ah this feels good." He said to his reflection.

Coming down the stairs he heard his mother on the commphone. "No Mr. Jackson. I do not want to sell the land. Now please stop calling."

"Who was that, Mom?" Duncan asked kissing his mother on the cheek.

She started to cry. "FrostCorp. Your poor father isn't even in the ground yet."

"Don't you worry. I'm going to talk to them today. I'll explain it to them. OK?" He walked toward the replicator and ordered and pineapple juice. As the glass materialized, he leaned and kissed Melora lightly on the lips. "Good morning, Sweetheart."

"Morning." She said. "Is everything alright?" She asked nodding toward Duncan's mother.

"I hope so." He took a drink of the sweet juice. "I'm going to talk to whoever is in charge at FrostCorp today. I'm want to know if they are pressuring everyone like this." Duncan said.

"Not alone, you're not. I'm going with you." She said. Duncan could tell there was no point in arguing with her. "OK." He turned to his mother. "Mom, do you know who is in charge at FrostCorp?

She looked up. "Duncan, they have an office down in the village. The man's name is Deacon Frost. Duncan, be careful, those men make me nervous."

"Don't worry, I'm just going down to talk. Tell them you're not interested in selling." Duncan told her. I'll make sure they never bother you again. He didn't say as they sat down to breakfast.

Kern and Costello staggered through the empty halls of the Missouri. Since most were off ship, enjoying the facilities of nearby Earth or the Utopia Planitia starbase. Still carrying their bottle of wine and now drinking straight from the bottle now. "Shhh." Amanda said putting a finger up to her lips. "We don't want to wake anyone." She giggled.

"OK." Tom agreed with her.

They approached a door. The sign on the wall by the door said. COMMANDER AMANDA COSTELLO. Kern looked at it and said. "I think this is your stop."

Amanda squinted at the lettering. "I think you're right." She turned and looked at him.

There they were again. Those eyes. Tom thought. "I'll see you in the morning." He said trying not to look into her eyes. He smiled. He'd had a good time. He'd regret it in the morning, he'd not drank like this in years.

She was looking at him differently now. "Tom, don't you kiss your dates goodnight when you drop them off?" She toyed with him.

"Um." Kern stammered. He hadn't thought of this as a date. He didn't want her to think that he didn't like her or did appreciate her enough. Besides it was just one kiss. He told himself. "Sure. Sorry." Kern put his hands tentatively on her hips and pulled her to him. He closed his eyes in anticipation of a quick peck on the lips.

Amanda put her arms around his neck and kissed him hard and long. As she pulled him closer Kern lost his balance. The two of them fell into the sensor area for the door. The doors opened and they fell into Amanda's quarters. On the ground the two of them laughed. Kern looked at her again as they laughed. The look in her eyes was still there. He crawled over and helped her to her feet. They stood there and stared at each other for a moment. Amanda broke the silence. "Tom,"

He put a finger to her lips. "Shhh." He put his free hand behind her neck at the base of her skull and pulled her to him. He kissed her, like she had kissed him a moment ago, hard and long. Both of them had already opened their uniform jackets along time ago. Now they struggled to get out of them as the heat of the moment grew in intensity. Blindly they walked backwards, until they bumped against the desk on the far wall. Amanda pulled his red T-shirt out and over his head. Her fingers felt electric against his skin as he kissed and nibbled on her earlobes. The sound of her breath in his ear fueled his passion even more as her fingernails scratched down his back.

Duncan and Melora walked into the offices of FrostCorp. The receptionist was a local girl. "Hi Rebecca, it's been a long time." Duncan said. The two of them were nearly the same age. She'd married one of the locals and obviously stayed in Glenfinnan to raise her family.

"Well, Duncan MacDermott, everyone wondered if you would be able to come home for your father's funeral. It's such a shame. Your father was such a good man. How's your mother, and Heather?"

"Thank you, Rebecca. They're as well as can be expected. This is Melora Ito." Duncan introduced. He didn't feel the need to breakdown their whole relationship for Rebecca.

Melora and Rebecca exchanged greetings before Duncan asked. "Is Mr. Frost in? I would like to see him concerning the MacDermott property."

"Aye, he is Duncan, but he's a very busy man." She said obviously running interference for her new boss.

Duncan was persistent. "I understand that, Rebecca, but I really need to see him. It is very important."

As Duncan was finishing his sentence the doors to Frost's office opened and from there emerged a small man. Gray haired, overweight, with small eyes and a big mouth. "Good day. Rebecca, I always have time for two of Starfleet's finest officers." Said looking at the Starfleet delta on the combadges the two of them wore. He was laying it on thicker and heavier as he went. He led them into his office then turned and said. "Rebecca, some coffee?" Rebecca just nodded and got up from her seat.

He walked up behind the two officers as they approached his desk. It was a huge wooden desk. The timber was dark and gray. Duncan ran his fingers along the grain of the wood as he looked around at the other Celtic artifacts in the room. Swords, shields, family crests and tartans adorned the walls of Frost's office. "So you're a collector of antiques, Mr. Frost?" Duncan asked speaking to him for the first time.

"Yes, I am. In all my offices, I have artifacts from the locales they are in." Frost said. "The desk, for example, is made from the timbers of the wreck of an 18th century sailing vessel that was discovered off the coast. It is quite valuable."

"How nice." MacDermott said apparently unimpressed with Frost's collection. "Mr. Frost, I don't want to waste any more of your time. I'm here to tell you in no uncertain terms, my family is not selling our land in Glenfinnan. It has been in our family for over a thousand years, and I will not tolerate any more calls to my parents home." With that said MacDermott turned and started to leave.

Frost stopped him. "Captain MacDermott…" Duncan didn't give him time to finish. Frost's face flushed with anger as the doors closed. Another door into the office opened. When the door closed it was nearly invisible as it blended in with the wall. "Jackson." Frost said. "I think it's time to turn up the heat a little on the Clan MacDermott."

Jackson was a large man with a scar that ran down the side of his face. The people he associated with didn't know for sure how it got there, but he had told them that they wouldn't be giving anyone else any scars. "Understood, Mr. Frost."

Kern woke up with a headache that he thought would split his skull open. As he rubbed his head he heard a noise next to him in bed. He turned to see Amanda lying next to him, as the memories flooded back to him. He smiled at her.

Her purple eyes sparkled at him. "Hi." She said softly.

His smile grew as he remembered more about the night before. "Hi, how do you feel?" He asked.

She sat up and brushed the hair back from her face. "Ow. I have such a headache." She said pulling the sheet around her body.

"Me too." He was sitting now also. He leaned and kissed her softly on the shoulder. "Computer." He said softly as not to disturb their sore heads too much. "Time?"

The computer responded coldly. "The time is 09:47."

The two lovers looked at each other. "SHIT!" They should have been on duty over 90 minutes ago.

Kern jumped out of bed and started to gather the pieces of his uniform that were strewn all over Amanda's bedroom. He paused and crawled across the bed and kissed her. "I guess we won't have time to cuddle this morning."

"I guess not." She kissed him hard again. When she released him. "I'll see you on the bridge."

Duncan approached the wreck of the aircar that his father had crashed in. He ran his hand of over the twisted metal. Melora produced a tricorder and began to run it over the wreck. Neither of them noticed that they were being watched from a stand of trees. The tricorder beeped when it found something out of the ordinary. "Duncan, take a look at this." Melora said handing him the tricorder.

He made a couple of adjustments to the display, just to make sure he was reading it right. No, there it was again. "This doesn't make sense. These readings look like this aircar was knocked down with phaser fire."

"Look at these burn marks. These are consistent with a phaser hit." Melora said as she stood up. She had noticed some marks on the aircar near the ground.

Duncan squatted and looked at the marks too. Standing back up. "I don't think this was an accident. I think my father was murdered." Duncan said quietly as he stared at the car.

In the trees Jackson looked at his partner as he opened a small device. A remote control. "So long you fleeter-bastards." He pressed the button. "Now old lady MacDermott will sell." Jackson smiled. His partner stared at the ground.

The device was made to look like an electrical problem caused an explosion. Duncan noticed the sparks from the engine compartment. A split second before the fuel cell exploded, MacDermott yelled. "DOWN!" He pulled Melora to the ground and covered her with his body. The noise was deafening. MacDermott's side erupted in pain when a piece of metal grazed it, leaving a deep cut but the metal didn't imbed itself. He lay on top of Melora making sure there were no more explosions.

"Hehe. That's all of that." Jackson said with a grin on his evil face.

His partner asked Jackson. "Don't you think we should check out the bodies?"

Jackson looked at him. "Don't you know anything? The first thing you do after killing someone is get the hell away from the body. This was an accident pure and simple. I want everyone to keep thinking that way."

Duncan rolled off of Melora after a moment. He helped her up and put a hand over the wound is was covered with blood. Melora looked surprised. "You're hurt!"

"It's not bad." He said with a grimace. Not as bad as it will when I catch the men who killed my father. "Come on. I know enough now."

"What do you mean?" She asked him as they got in their aircar and made their way back to the village.

"What do I mean? I mean that, Frost had my father killed, then he tried to kill us." Duncan explained.

"We don't have any evidence to prove this Duncan." Melora tried to reason with him.

Duncan's eyes narrowed as he drove the aircar toward Glenfinnan. "Frost has declared war on the MacDermott clan and the people of Glenfinnan. He's done this before, I'm sure. Never again. It ends here, NOW!" Duncan said forcefully. Quietly he added. "If he wants a war, I'll give him a war he won't believe."

An hour later, MacDermott was in his boyhood home, on the commlink. Routed through the Federation subspace network, he spoke. "Mac, I'm sorry to hear about your father. Is there any...?"

"Tom, is the ship ready?" Duncan asked as his brain worked through his plan.

Kern looked at the screen. "Yes, Sir. Fueling was completed this morning. We're ready to resume our duties as soon as you and Melora return to the ship."

"Good. Listen Tom, I need a fully armed security team and I need you to contact the AG's office. Admiral Highlander. There's something strange going on here. I need the Admiral to send an investigation team to Glenfinnan. A Corporation is buying all the land around here. They've done it before in other places around the world. They use extortion and murder to get what they want. The bastards killed my father and tried to kill Melora and me. It ends here and now." Duncan said.

Kern had never seen his commanding officer so focused and driven before. "I understand. I'll contact you when we enter orbit."

"Thanks Tom."

Kern nodded. "Mac, be careful."

"Trust me."

Frost sat behind the desk in his office. "So that Fleeter and his woman are dead?"

"Yes. Did the job myself." Jackson smiled.

Frost smiled too. "Good, now pressure the MacDermott woman, she'll sell. Rough her up if you have to. Threaten her daughter what ever it takes. Do you understand me?"

"Perfectly." Jackson said. I'd like to see him do some of the dirty work once in a while. He didn't say.

Kern stepped onto the bridge. "Prepare for departure. Contact Utopia Planitia and request departure clearance and thank them for their hospitality." He ordered.

"What's going on, Tom?" Amanda asked. "What about the Captain?"

He smiled at her. "We'll pick them up on Earth."

T'Gerran said. "Departure clearance granted. The station master wishes us a safe journey."

"Very well. Commander, have you ever taken a ship out of space dock?" He asked Amanda.

She smiled. "Not since the Academy."

"Take us out then Commander. T'Gerran would you please come with me to the Captain's ready room?" Kern said. "I have something special for you to do."

"Aye Sir." The Klingon said stepping toward the ready room door.

The door swished shut to the sound of Amanda saying. "Release umbilicals and mooring clamps. Mr. Kelley, maneuvering thrusters."

Duncan's mother was ready to leave for the funeral of her husband and the father of her children. Heather sat with her at the table in the small kitchen. The two were having coffee. Heather was talking about how much her father had meant to her and how glad she was that Duncan was here. Her and Duncan were very close. Especially after their brother Ian was gone. There was a knock on the door. Heather rose to answer it. Probably more well wishers. She thought. There had been a steady stream of people through the house in the past few days. Duncan's mother was startled by the sound of the door hitting the wall and Heather falling backwards. Silhouetted against the door, was man from FrostCorp, Mr. Jackson.

Defiantly she rose. "What the devil is the meaning of this? Get out of my house!"

Jackson gazed at her. "Shut up and sit down." He produced a weapon of some sort. "If you don't, you'll be burying someone else." He leveled the weapon at Heather.

"No." She gasped. "What do you want?"

"I want you to sign this damned paper." He pulled the deed for the property out of a pocket and slammed it down on the table. Duncan's mother and Heather both jumped at the sound.

"No. This land." She began.

Heather screamed as Jackson grabbed her by the hair and pulled her toward him. The tip of the weapon rested against her temple. "Sign it, DAMN YOU!"

Duncan and Melora had been taking a walk along the Loch before the funeral, when they noticed a strange vehicle parked at his mother's. Quietly they made their way closer to the house. A single man stood by the car keeping an eye out. They could see another figure standing in the doorway. The man by the car didn't do a very good job as Duncan and Melora crept right up to the rear of the car. Duncan pointed at Melora and then at the man. She understood. Duncan went around the other side of the car.

Melora stood up and said. "Excuse me."

The man turned to see who had said that. He was greeted with a warm smile. That was the last thing he saw as Duncan hit him with doublefisted blow to the back of the head. The man dropped like a stone.

Duncan dragged the man out of sight. "You stay here. I'm going up to the house." Duncan told her. "Dun..." She started to ask him not to; then decided she'd just be wasting her breath. "Be careful. That man is pretty big." Melora told him.

He regarded the man in the door for a moment. "Not so big that I won't tear his leg off and beat him to death with it. I'll be right back. Trust me." Duncan said as he climbed the steps.

"Sign that paper. Don't think I won't kill her, Old woman." Jackson threatened pushing the weapon against Heather's temple.

With a shaky hand, Eileen MacDermott gave in. She picked up the pen and began to sign her name. A signature that would give the land the MacDermotts have called home for a thousand years.

"Don't do it, Mom." Came a voice behind Jackson said calmly.

Her head snapped up and she said. "Oh Duncan."

Jackson spun around wondering who it was. When he saw MacDermott he couldn't believe his eyes. "You're dead. I killed you myself." Still not believing his eyes. "I saw the explosion."

"Let her go and I'll give you another chance. See if you can get it right this time." Duncan was taunting him, hoping that he'd release Heather and come after him. "What do you say, I don't think you can take me."

Jackson pushed Heather to the floor and produced a knife. The blade was long and thick, one side was serrated the other razor sharp. "I'm gonna enjoy bleeding you real slow." The big man advanced on MacDermott.

Melora watched as the man advanced on the man she loved. Jackson slashed and cut at Duncan. From her point of view it had looked like he had connected with a number of cuts, but there was no blood on Duncan clothes. Melora spun when she heard the whine of a transporter. Materializing before her eyes were Kern, Costello, T'Gerran and a fully armed security team.

Duncan was holding the man off; the blade just inches from his face. MacDermott headbutted him. Jackson backed off as his nose exploded in blood. The site of his own blood incensed Jackson, he screamed and ran madly at MacDermott. Duncan sidestepped him and tried to pitch him off the porch, but Jackson held him fast. The two of them hit the ground in a thud. The knife fell from Jackson's hand. Duncan saw an opening. He went to work on Jackson's body. A left and then a right to the midsection of the big man. Jackson grabbed MacDermott and pitched him to the ground. Jackson had MacDermott's head lying on a rock, his thumb pressed at MacDermott's temple. Duncan's eyes started to roll back in his head as things began to get dark around him.

Until now the crowd of Starfleet officers was silent, content to watch the action. Now that it appeared their Captain was about to lose. Melora called to him. "Duncan let T'Gerran take him." The Klingon snarled, but understood when MacDermott refused.

"No." MacDermott spat. "Back off!" This was Duncan's fight. T'Gerran understood that. The Klingon took a small step back but kept his hand on his phaser.

Jackson started taunting now. "A little more pressure and my thumb will go directly into your brain." Jackson pushed a little harder, just to prove his point.

Duncan finally reached the back of Jackson's head. MacDermott grabbed Jackson's chin and started to pull the man's head to the side. Jackson finally had to release his hold on MacDermott. He rolled to one side and recovered his blade. He waved it in front of MacDermott.

"I know, they'll kill me. I don't care. I'm gonna enjoy watching you die first." Jackson told him.

"Like before?" MacDermott asked laughing at the murderer. "You screwed that up. What makes you think you'll get it right this time?"

Jackson was becoming angrier by the second. "I'm gonna gut you like a pig, you Starfleet pig. Time for you to die." Jackson ran at him again.

Duncan stepped to the side again and this time tossed Jackson off his hip. As he was going down with Jackson, Duncan yelled. "T'GERRAN."

The reached back and pulled his Mek'leth, throwing it in one smooth motion MacDermott caught it as he landed. Before he could realize it Jackson felt the blade of the Mek'leth on his neck.

Bruised and bloodied, MacDermott looked down at him. "Did you kill my father?"

"Yeah," Jackson wasn't going down alone though. "I was under order from Frost, now go on and finish me." Jackson said.

Duncan's eyes flared at the admission. For a second he thought, For you father. The blade broke the skin of Jackson's neck. "No." Duncan said through a ragged breath. "You're not worth it." He motioned to the security team.

Two of the security officers helped their captain to his feet as T'Gerran stood over him snarling. Once MacDermott was clear, the big Klingon picked him up roughly and put the man in shackles. He handed Jackson off to the two security men.

Melora sat MacDermott on the aircar and cleaned him up when his mother and sister joined them. "Duncan are you alright?" His mother asked.

"I'm fine. What about you two?" He asked as his mother and sister hugged him.

The two of them began to cry. T'Gerran walked over. "Captain, I'm sorry to interrupt."

"Yes, what is it?" Duncan asked. T'Gerran held Jackson's blade out for him. Eileen MacDermott recoiled from the big Klingon. She'd never seen a Klingon before.

Sensing her fear. "Mother, it's ok. This is T'Gerran Leonheart. My chief of security and probably the bravest man I've ever known."

If Klingons blushed, T'Gerran was blushing now. "Mrs. MacDermott, it is an honor to serve with your son. You and his late father should be very proud." He said shaking the woman's hand.

The small woman bowed her head slightly, thanking him for the compliment, from her and her husband. "Thank you, T'Gerran is it?"

The Klingon smiled. "Yes ma'am. If you'll follow these officer's they will take a statement from you. T'Gerran gently showed them to where the officers were waiting.

Melora was staring at him. "Duncan MacDermott, so help me if you ever pull a stunt like that again...I'll..."

Duncan just smiled at her, then took her in his arms and held her.

Costello and Kern approached. Duncan saw them. "Tom, is everything else in place?"

"Yes. They are waiting for your signal, Sir." Kern said

Duncan looked at him. "Guess you won't be calling me that for much longer?" Duncan said raising his eyebrows

"Yes, Sir." Kern said. Melora and Costello look at the two men confused by what MacDermott meant.

Let me get a clean uniform and cleaned up.

In his room as he changed Melora asked him. "What did you mean when you asked Tom about calling you Sir very much longer?"

"Tom's been offered his own command. He took it. I couldn't be happier for him." Duncan said.

Surprise registered on her face. "That's wonderful. I'm going to miss him."

Duncan looked at her. "Me too." As he straightened his uniform he said. "It's time to put an end to this now."

Twenty minutes later, Duncan followed by his security team walked into the offices of FrostCorp. Rebecca started to protest, but stopped when MacDermott didn't even register her presence.

Duncan burst through the doors of Deacon Frost's office.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" Frost demanded.

Duncan stuck Jackson's blade into the 500-year-old timbers of the desk. "It's over Frost. Jackson admitted to my father's murder and implicated you." Duncan told him.

"What proof do you have?" Frost said. "You don't have anything on me. Now get out of here!"

Duncan leaned over his face just inches away from Frost. "I hope you like Jackson, you two are going to be spending a lot of time together." Duncan said as he lightly slapped Frost on the face. "I'd like you to meet someone." A man with Admiral pips on his collar and another team of men walked into the office. "This is Admiral Highlander, and his colleagues are from the Federation Attorney General's office." Duncan smiled as Highlander took over.

"Mr. Frost, this is a warrant for your arrest and a warrant to search this property and all FrostCorp assets, you are charged with extortion, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder, being an accessory to murder." Highlander's list went on for sometime. One of the men put shackles on Frost and led him out.

Duncan stood at his father's gravesite silently. A slow rain fell. Duncan watched as the water struck the soft earth beneath the headstone. He stood there a little longer before he reached up and removed his combadge. He placed the combadge on the headstone and leaned over and kissed the granite piece. "I love you, Dad." He stood at attention and saluted. He watched the rain a little longer until he felt a hand slip into his. He glanced over to see Melora standing with him.

"I didn't know him that well, but I'm going to miss him." She said.

Duncan smiled. "He sent me a letter after your visit. He told me how lucky I was." Duncan smiled. "How if I screwed up again, he'd come out and straighten me out." Duncan laughed. The rain was beginning to come down harder. He wondered if it was his father's sense of humor. He took Melora's hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed it. "Come on. Let's get back to the house." He looked back at the grave. I'll see you Dad.

Duncan and Melora shook the rain off on the porch. As soon as they stepped inside, Duncan's mother put a mug of tea in each of their hands. The warm liquid felt good going down. The mother hugged her son. "Do you think Dad understood me not being there for the funeral?"

His mother smiled up at him. "I'm sure he understood. He was very proud of you, you know."

It made Duncan feel good to know that. His father's approval had always been important to him. His mother walked into the other room. She came back a moment later with a small box. "Your father would have wanted you to have this." She said handing him the box.

Duncan opened it slowly. Inside was a starship. Constitution class carved of wood. It was barely recognizable as a starship. Duncan knew it immediately. "My God. Dad kept this for all this time?" Duncan asked as a tear rolled down his cheek.

His mother nodded as tears welled up in her eyes too. "Yes. It was his favorite. He knew the moment you gave this to him you were destined for the stars. He was right." Eileen hugged him again.

Duncan held the starship like a child plays with a toy. He looked at Melora. "I carved this when I was six years old."

Melora smiled. "It's beautiful."

Beep Beep. It was Melora's combadge. She tapped it. "Ito here."

"Lieutenant, is the captain with you? We can't raise combadge." T'Gerran said.

"I'm right here, T'Gerran. I've misplaced my communicator." He lied, smiling at Melora.

T'Gerran said. "Sir, we are ready for departure at your convenience."

"Understood. We'll signal you momentarily." Duncan said.

"Mom. I gotta go. Are you going to be OK?" Duncan asked kissing his mother.

She held her son tight. "We'll be fine."

His sister walked into the room. "Time to go?"

"I'm afraid so. Take care of her, Heather." Duncan said as Eileen went to hug Melora.

Heather hugged her brother. "It was good to see you again, brother. Don't be such a stranger."

"I won't. I'll see you soon." Duncan promised.

Heather went to tell Melora good-bye. His mother returned to his side. "Take care of yourself, out there, you hear me. I love you, Duncan."

"I love you too, Mom."

Duncan and Melora stood back from the MacDermott women. Ito touched her combadge. "Ito to transporter room."

"Transporter room." Came the disembodied voice.

Ito continued. "Two to beam up. Energize."

Duncan smiled at his family as the transporter effect took them away.

Kern approached the doors to Costello's quarters cautiously. He didn't know how to tell her he was leaving the Missouri, leaving her. Better get it over with. He thought as he rang the buzzer.

"Come." Amanda's voice said through the door.

The doors parted as Tom stepped up. The room was full of candles, every shape and size. The flames from the candles burned like stars in the night. As the doors shut behind him, Tom looked around the room. A small table was set up in the middle of the room. An iced bottle of wine, two plates a steak and potato in each, two candlesticks with long tapered candles, their flames, two more stars in the night. She came from behind the table dressed in a white gauzy material that left little to the imagination. The candlelight caused her eyes to sparkle. "Tom. I'm really glad you could come by." She said staring at him.

Kern was in awe, the candles, her, and everything. "Amanda, this is wonderful, but there's something I need to…" He began.

Amanda put a finger to his lips. "Shh, I know. You've accepted your own command. You'll be leaving in a few days." She explained it for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know, and right now I don't want to think about it." She whispered before she kissed him.

"But." He started but then forgot what he was going to say.

"Come." MacDermott said from behind the door. Costello, Melora, and T'Gerran had all been summoned by the Captain. Even Melora didn't know what he wanted to see them about. The doors parted and the three of them walked in. The doors closed behind T'Gerran before MacDermott spoke. "I guess you're all wondering what I asked you all to come here for?" The looks on their faces answered his question for him. "T'Gerran you may not know, but these two do. Commander Kern has accepted his own command. He's leaving the ship later today.

The Klingon looked surprised. "Why are we here Captain?" He asked.

"Yes. I was getting to that. I'm going to be without a first officer. To that end I've made some changes and some promotions that go with them." Duncan explained as the three of them shuffled nervously. "T'Gerran, I seriously considered you for first officer and Ops, but truth be known. There's not a better tactical officer in the fleet and I would hate to see your natural talents wasted. While you stay in your current position, I am promoting you to full Commander with all the duties and privileges thereof." Duncan held in his left hand the gold pip that would replace the black one on his collar. As Duncan shook the hand of the big Klingon; he said. "What I told my mother; I really meant that."

"Thank you, Sir." T'Gerran said as he held the pip in his fingers.

Duncan nodded at him and moved down the line to Melora. He smiled at her. "I was always nervous with you as my personal security detail, especially after you became so important to me." Duncan couldn't tell her he loved her right here in front of everyone. "I maybe looking for a new Operations officer. Are you interested in the job?"

She was thrilled. "Yes I am."

He held her hand and dropped the black pip into it. He closed her hand around it and held it tight for a moment. "You are hereby promoted to the rank of Lt. Commander with all the duties and privileges thereof."

"Thank you, Sir." She said with a smile.

"Commander Costello. Except for Captain Calhoun of the Excalibur, you are the first Xenexian to hold the position of First officer of a Starfleet vessel." Duncan smiled. "I don't have a promotion for you, the only job left is mine and I'm not ready to go yet."

Costello, Ito, and T'Gerran laughed. "Thank you, Sir. I know I've got a lot to learn to fill Tom's shoes but I'll try my best." Amanda said.

"That's all I ask of anyone, Amanda." Duncan said. "There'll be a small ceremony for the Tom in the observation lounge at 1800. I've got one more pip to hand out." Duncan smiled. "Until then, you are dismissed." He crossed and sat down at his desk.

Melora lingered behind the others as the doors closed. "Duncan?" She looked at him with troubled eyes.

"What is it, Melora?" Duncan said with a smile trying to see past her eyes.

She sat on the edge of the chair across the desk from him. "Would I have gotten this promotion, if I hadn't been so important to you?" Melora asked using his own words.

Duncan looked deep into her eyes. "I swear to you. You earned this; it's not favoritism. OK?"

Her mouth curled into a smile. "I had to ask. For my own sake."

"I understand." He said as she got up. "See you at 1800?"

"I wouldn't miss it." Melora said as the doors opened.

MacDermott stood on the small dais that had been erected in the observation lounge. Along side MacDermott was Kern. In front of the dais was the rest of the bridge crew. "We are gathered here today to bid farewell to one of our own. He's saved all of us more than once. We'll miss his wit, his trumpet, but most of all we'll miss his bravery, his loyalty, and his commitment to the ideals and beliefs of Starfleet and the Federation. He will be missed, but he's going on to bigger and better things. May I present to you CAPTAIN Thomas Alexander Kern."

Kern stepped up to the applause and a few catcalls from the crew. "Thank you, Sir." He shook MacDermott's hand as he gave Kern the fourth gold pip for his collar.

"SPEECH, SPEECH!" Came the calls from the crowd.

Kern stammered for a moment. "Thank you, thank you all. I'm not one for a lot of words." He began. "I've come to appreciate all of you, you all have something special. I love this ship and her crew. I will never forget this ship and what she means to me. Thank you again." He said as he stepped down from the dais.

Coming soon to the TWG. The voyages of the USS Apache. A new anthology series from Red Planet Productions.