Reaper: Mixed Meetings

Stardate: 00718.2136
Title: Mixed Meetings
Author: Lt.  Commander Nelson Reaper
Scene: USS Carpathia
Time: Morning after "...  Sweet Sorrow"

Austin met Nelson in the hall outside his quarters.  There was an obvious anxiety in the XO's face.  Nelson didn't notice, he was too excited about his family's return to the ship.

"Hey, 'Austin-baby'!" Nelson said, slapping his superior on the back.  Austin eased up a little, and allowed himself to be teased.  "Ooh, whatsa matter, still sore from yesterday's game?" Nelson laughed as he started out the door at a quick pace.

"Hey Nelson, how about some breakfast?  Where are you off to so early?" Austin asked.

"Shuttle bay.  Louise and the baby are due on board in 10 minutes!" Nelson huffed around a corner toward the turbolift with the XO trotting behind.

"Ten minutes?  I thought they weren't due to board til 0930?"

"Nurse Gretchen cleared 'em for early boarding.  Ain't she just such a sweetie?" The two men stepped onto the turbolift.

"Umm, look Nelson, there's something on my mind I'd like to discuss with you.  It's...  difficult." Austin was about to muster the courage to hand his friend the PADD he'd received from the captain the day before. The turbolift stopped, and a pair of crewmen stepped in.

Both officers stood silent as the crewmen engaged in small talk about their night shift.  The lift stopped again at the bay deck and Nelson and Austin stepped off.

"What is it?" Nelson asked when they were alone again.

They walked side by side among the dozens of crew and shuttles.  Various freight movers slid between rows of cartons and containers as all was being made ready for their departure from Starbase Arcadia the next day. Nelson slowed and pointed, "There, bay 2B," and he turned toward a bay door just opening for an approaching shuttle.

The two men watched silently as the vehicle cleared the forcefield and landed.  After it was docked, the aft section opened and a dozen or so people exited.

Austin stammered, "Nelson, I..."

One small individual ran from the crowd toward the two men.  It was Istari, the littlest Reaper.  Barely two years old, he toddled fast toward Nelson and called out "Dod-DEEEE!" Every face within earshot lit up as the father-son reunion was witnessed.  Nelson picked up and hugged the little boy tightly, spinning him around as he did.

Austin looked absently into the dispersing crowd, not quite sure what to do at this point.  Instantly, his eyes met those of Louise as she walked slowly toward her husband.  She looked tired, and emotionally spent.

Their gaze held a long fraction of a second, and they seemed to each other the only two in the whole shuttle bay.  Time slowed as Louise spied the PADD in Austin's hand and her blank face was overcome with fear.  She looked back up at Austin, and knew why he was there.

Her eyes pleaded silently with him as he firmly held his gaze upon her face, judging her, scolding her, daring her to come forward.  He clenched the PADD tightly in his hand, knowing that only seconds ago he was the only person separating his friend Nelson from the truth.  As Austin watched the tears form in Louise's eyes, he knew he no longer had to be.  The captain was right: this was indeed a family matter.

Austin turned toward Nelson just as Louise approached and buried her head in the nook of his shoulder, embracing him.  Slowly, he turned and walked away.  With measured steps, he headed for the turbolifts, and his duty station.  He briefly thought of the words he'd use when he informed the captain of his decision, and then his thoughts turned elsewhere.  Perhaps one last visit to the Rem was in order before casting off, and one more round of oblivion under the glittering, mind-numbing disco ball.  Yes, he decided, it most certainly was.

LtCmdr Nelson Reaper
Chief Operations Officer
USS Carpathia