Returning After a Hard Day's Work

[Matthew Reynolds]

"Is there anything else that you require Admiral?" Matt asked of the Section Admiral.

"No Captain, I know you are not pleased but your actions are to be commended, you made many of us proud today," Section Admiral Paul Drew replied before he cut the transmission

"Captain it is time that you go and get that taken care of," Sam said as he quietly approached Matthew Reynolds," we will be reaching Starbase 47 within three hours at our current speed. You do not have to worry."

"It's alright Sam, I'm fine. The bleeding has stop and there is no real emergency," Matt said as he turned away from the young officer, who had unlimited potential. Matt was more preoccupied with the losses that they suffered fighting Evek's men. Specialist Treyon Lor had lost his life and Admiral Satari had been located in time to be rescued.

"Sir, please do not make me call the Chief Medical Officer, I don't care if you punish me later, but those cuts look deep," Sam said visibly shaking.

"Sam you have guts," Matt said with a small smile realizing that he was having difficulty getting up. The pride in Matt immidiately cursed his body and he was forced to ask Sam for some assistance.

"Sir, don't worry about it," Sam replied sensing his captain's embarrasment.

"Thank you Sam, please make the doctor aware that I'm on my way to sickbay, but that her priority should stay on the wounded from the Destiny and the marines. Right now I'm not important. Also make sure all repairs are getting done" Matt said as he slowly walked to the lift.

(Andier, Dantrek)

[Kesha Andier]

The captain was on his way. Aidan had signaled as much as the half-Andorian doctor finished up with one of her last patients. The EMH could deal with the remainder as the most severe injuries had been dealt with by now. She washed her hands and pulled on a clean white coat which only conrasted worse with her skin than her uniform did.

Aidan watched her pull on the white coat, where before she'd been in surgical greens and grinned. You look like a Terran snowman he signed, then pointed at a winter spectacle picture that hung on one of the sickbay walls. You don't need a coat to deal with the captain, Kesha. He'll have to listen to you even if you don't wear one. Yet he had to admit that it did add to the level of being distinguished.

Kesha shrugged. He'll listen either way, you're right about that one.

He's here, and being supported. Aidan signed as he hurried to take the captain's other side, thereby relieving the officer who had brought him down. "I'll take him from here sir," the agile teenager offered, directly steering Reynolds to one of the now vacant beds. "Stay put," he ordered, or tried to anyway as he couldn't quite get the level of authority across. He hurried off to get the doctor to his position. He'll stay.

"Yes, the captain will stay right there," Kesha answered, for Reynolds' benefit. "Captain, care to explain to me why you didn't come down immediately, with an injury like that? I've read your history captain, most notably the notes made by Doctor T'Val Mercy and Doctor Nathan van Breughel. They report you are notorious for remaining on station while severely injured. More notably, to the point of collapse. In the future, no matter how trivial your injury, you report to sickbay immediately, or so help me I'll have you relieved of duty. Understood?" The half-Andorian, half-Trill marine doctor stared the captain down, her gaze unwavering, pale blue eyes sparkling furiously. So furious that Aidain had unconsciously backed off a few paces, and had pulled Sam with him as he did so.

[Matthew Reynolds]

"Captain, care to explain to me why you didn't come down immediately, with an injury like that? I've read your history captain, most notably the notes made by Doctor T'Val Mercy and Doctor Nathan van Breughel. They report you are notorious for remaining on station while severely injured. More notably, to the point of collapse. In the future, no matter how trivial your injury, you report to sickbay immediately, or so help me I'll have you relieved of duty. Understood?"

"I knew they secretly didn't like me," Matt replied trying to ease the situation,"you must also know that civilian doctors tend to over exaggerate things."

(Andier)

"Under normal circumstances doctor I would agree with you, but I received these injuries during worst possible time," Matt replied knowing that no matter what any doctor said, he would not leave the Seraph in untested hands.

"Plus Doctor I'm assuming that none of these cuts are life threatening?" Matt asked before a spell of dizziness overtook him. It didn't last long, but he was certain that the doctor had noticed it.

(Andier)

"Doctor before we go any further, I must commend you and your shorthanded staff," Matt said as he regained partial balance," you most likely feel like its part of the job, but as a Captain I can never forget to thank those that keep my crew safe."

(Andier)

At that point Matt decided that it was best to stop talking. The fact that Admiral Keztrek was nearby gave him some piece of mind and if anything important was needed of him he would be notified immediately. So for once without any bickering or fighting he did as he was told.

(Tag All)

[Kesha Andier]

"I knew they secretly didn't like me," Matt replied trying to ease the situation,"you must also know that civilian doctors tend to over exaggerate things."

"Do they now..." Kesha didn't agree with that assessment. "It is my observation that starship captains make their injuries seem less important than anyone else's. And as such, I order you to report to sickbay immediately, the next time you're injured. And I don't care how trivial you think they are. I'll send Aidan to physically haul you here...try him captain, he's quite strong despite appearing otherwise."

"Under normal circumstances doctor I would agree with you, but I received these injuries during worst possible time," Matt replied knowing that no matter what any doctor said, he would not leave the Seraph in untested hands.

"Plus Doctor I'm assuming that none of these cuts are life threatening?" Matt asked before a spell of dizziness overtook him. It didn't last long, but he was certain that the doctor had noticed it.

"Not yet," the half-Andorian agreed, "so long as they remain uninfected. Tell me captain, ever seen a patient with gangrene? Or necrotic tissue?" She was cut off as Reynolds interrupted her.

"Doctor before we go any further, I must commend you and your shorthanded staff," Matt said as he regained partial balance," you most likely feel like its part of the job, but as a Captain I can never forget to thank those that keep my crew safe."

"Don't thank me captain, I'm just doing my job. I am chief medical officer, therefor all care befalls to me and my staff. We need no praise, saving lives is praise enough." She reached out to push him back. "And where do you think you're going?"

At that point Matt decided that it was best to stop talking. The fact that Admiral Keztrek was nearby gave him some piece of mind and if anything important was needed of him he would be notified immediately. So for once without any bickering or fighting he did as he was told.

Kesha cast him a good-natured smirk, which was echoed by the doctor's personal assistant. "Now that's a good captain. Stay put for a few hours and rest. That's an order captain, and don't let me catch you sneaking out. Try me...I'll send security on you."

[Matthew Reynolds]

When a doctor gave an order, Matthew Reynolds had the tendency to completely ignore it. This time Matt was more than happy to oblige to it. While he wasn't physically tired, his spirit and mind were exhausted. It took him a few minutes to convince the doctor to allow him to sleep in some crew quarters, but once that was done he realized there was no more fight in him.

As he walked into his makeshift quarters, Matt undressed and fell onto the stiff bed and was asleep within seconds. Unfortunately for Matt, sleep did not bring any peace for the young man. It seemed that in those few moments of sleep all the horrific events of his life came back to him at once.

The death of his brother Kyle, his first encounter with the Romulans, being shot, almost loosing Caleb to pirates, the faces of all the men and women who had lost their lives under his command. He was experiencing these horrific things like they had happened yesterday and all he could do was cry out for help.

His horrible dream abruptly ended and Matt found himself drenched in sweat and his bodily trembling from the terrible experience. Once he was able to calm his heart down, Matt slowly approached the sonic showers. While he preferred a real bath, he felt unclean at the moment.

"Begin sonic shower" Matt said as he stepped on the platform and let the technology work its magic. While Matt has had trouble dealing with these events in the past, they had never all come to him at the same time. Never being a fan of counselors, Matt knew that it was time for him to once again resume his weekly visits.

He could remember Arya helping him deal with those issues so long ago, but the responsibilities of command proved to be to time consuming and his therapy ended.

"Captain we will reach Starbase 47 within the hour, Section Admiral Drew would like to be debriefed at your earliest convenience," Sam said over the comm.

"Thanks for the update Sam, but can we pretend that you were unable to reach me for another thirty minutes?" Matt asked not really serious.

"Sorry to bother you sir, it seems the Section Admiral would like to talk to another Captain Reynolds," Sam said playing along who Matt was almost positive was flashing a big smile on the bridge.

Matt took his time getting dressed and began to ponder the future. Caleb, Kristin and Starfleet were his life. Once again things were changing and it seemed that Section 47 was going to play a huge role in the direction of the quadrant and the Federation.

Five Hours Later

Even though his head hurt from the three hour meeting with Admiral Drew and the rest of Command, Matt rushed to see Caleb and give him a huge hug. It seemed that someone had accidentally told him of his father's injury which caused him to freak out.

"What did I tell you! I told you not to get hurt!" Caleb trying to sound mad but immensely relieved that his father was in front of him safe and sound.

"Caleb what have I always told you?" Matt asked. At first Caleb refused to answer and looked averted his father's eyes. Matt calmly caressed his son's face and firmly moved his son's face so that they faced each other," what do I always say?"

"It sounds and looks a lot worse than it truly is," Caleb said before he broke down again hugged his father," I hate this. Why didn't you take me with you? On the Jefferson, I was always there, why cannot I be on the Seraph with you?"

"Caleb its different this time," Matt said as he picked up his son and led them back to their quarters. While Caleb was not afraid of showing his feelings like other children, he didn't appreciate all the stares," we'll have to get used to life on a starbase. Now come on it's all better. How about we eat some ice cream?"

"You know my one weakness," Caleb said as he asked to be put down," Dad you know that I'm to big for that. I'm almost thirteen."

"So, you are my son and I don't care if people stare," Matt said semi-mocking his son.

"But I do, what will the girls in my class say when they hear that my dad picked me up?" Caleb said as he got his usual three scoops of vanilla ice cream.

"They wonder why their father doesn't do the same," Matt said as he took his one scoop. Normally ice cream was a reward, but Matt knew that ice cream calmed Caleb down, even though the sugar intake kept him up all night long.

[Matthew Reynolds]

"Captain Reynolds you and your makeshift crew on the USS Seraph are to be commended for your actions during the Destiny Rescue. All of you have been nominated for Commendations by Section Admiral Drew but that is not why we are meeting here today," Admiral Janeway said through the view screen.

"Thank you for the kind words Admiral, but like I said in my report, my crew deserve all of the credit," Matt said in front of the most decorated officer in recent memory and a personal hero of his," if I may be so bold Admiral, what am I doing here?"

"I'm glad to know that Paul was right, you are straight to the point," Janeway said," well the Cardassian's are not happy about what happened. They looked like fools for not being able to control one legate."

"I hope they like the feeling because Evek's men will not go away that easily," Matt replied," he is being transferred away from here in the next few days, but I'm sure that an attempt will be made to rescue him."

"You are not to worry yourself about that Captain, we have a different mission for you," Janeway said," the Cardassians would like to formally apologize to the Federation and have asked that we send an official representative. That representative is going to be you and your crew."

"Admiral, diplomacy is not my strong suite, I'm sure that Admiral Keztrek or Admiral Drew would be a much better choice," Matt said hoping that the admirals had not already used their connections to get out of this mission.

"No, Captain you are my choice for this mission," Janeway replied," its because of you that we were able to save the Destiny and most of her crew. While the tragic loss of Admiral Satari still occupies our minds, he died a hero and from what I understand the Fifth Fleet will present you with a gift in honor of his loss."

"Admiral, I'm guessing this is all for show?" Matt asked surprised that the Cardassians would go to all of these lengths to get back on the Federation's good side.

"No it is not, you will have a secondary mission Captain," Janeway said," you are to meet with an informant. They have been unable to communicate with us since the incident, so we need you to get them home."

"Understood Admiral, we will be ready to depart within 48 hours," Matt said happy that they would have something to do other than attend the stupid state dinner.

"Good hunting Captain. Janeway out."

=^=Reynolds to Ops. I need every member of the Seraph's last mission ready to depart within 48 hours. I also require any level 4 or higher clearance officer to report to the Seraph for a debrief in six hours=^=

(Tag All)

[Kesha Andier]

Kesha, you need to report to the briefingroom in six hours, Aidan was stood directly in the half-Andorian's line of sight, motioning excitedly, debriefing, the captain just announced. And be ready to depart in 48 hours

Kesha rolled her eyes. He doesn't leave much room for rest, does he? she signed back, pulling her face into a frown. He shouldn't even be on duty, with that injury of his, remind me to tell him off on that one, would you dear?

Are you sure about that? I don't think the captain would appreciate that very much you know. The young Trill hesitated visibly, hands frozen mid-motion as he seemed troubled by the very idea. I've heard rumours about his temper...that he nearly strangled your predecessor once. I don't want him to strangle you...

To that, the doctor burst into laughter, patting her young aide on the shouder, before drawing him into a brief hug that had several nurses look away and find sudden interest in other things. She stepped back. "I'd strangle him before he could even lay a hand on me," she promised, speaking out loud. She tapped her combadge. "Captain, this is Doctor Andier, I'll be on the Seraph in an hour but I want you in her sickbay first...and that's non-negotiable captain. And you had better have a good excuse for being on duty, or else..."

Aidan paled when she uttered her threat, fearing for his 'sister's' life at that very moment. Not to mention her carreer. You shouldn't have said it that way, he signed, looking terrified.

We'll see, Kesha signed back as she packed her medical kit. To the Seraph we go, right now. I want sickbay in order before the captain checks in.

[Matthew Reynolds]

~She's starting to sound like Nathan~ Matt thought as he rubbed his wound hoping it would heal quickly. He was well aware that nothing helped the body recover like rest, but you did not say no to Admiral Janeway.

"You are not going anywhere!" Caleb said as he stood in between the door and Matt," you just got back and I don't care that your childhood hero gave you an order."

"I didn't want to leave this quickly either, but its my job to protect people Caleb, and if I have to go to Cardassia to do that I will," Matt said as he approached his overprotective son," I'm doing this because I want you to live free from any worry son. You have suffered enough and if I have to sacrifice to make sure you never experience that type of pain, I'm happy to do it."

"I don't care about that, you and Kristin are my family," Caleb said now crying," she is away and now you are going away. I'm already alone."

At that moment, Matt was ready to give up his career to console his crying son. They both knew that it wasn't fair, but Matt was not going to allow his crew to go into danger if he wasn't leading them. They also had families and children, his crew went through these feelings just like them.

"Caleb, you know that I would do anything for you to keep you safe and happy. I know you don't see it now, but by doing this and being involved in this stupid situation I'm doing just that," Matt said as he hugged his son. It would take Caleb another forty minutes to be convinced that nothing would happen to his father.

An Hour Later

"Alright people, I need to do this quickly before the doctor comes after me and throws away the key," Matt said which was met with laughter from the officers and crewmen assembled. "All of you have clearance to serve aboard this vessel, the USS Seraph."

"There are only twelve of us, sir," an officer asked confused.

"I know Lieutenant, that will bring our crew compliment to fifty five," Matt said," while our mission is not classified, this vessel is. For the duration of this mission and during your service to this vessel, you are not permitted to use any of its technology without previous authorization."

"How about our families? We are on vacation?" a senior crewmen asked already sorry that he had chosen Starbase 47 for R&R.

"I'm sorry Chief, but your families will be inconvenience for the time being," Matt said sincerely apologetic," hopefully this mission will last only ten days at the most. I have outlined your orders here. Are there any questions?"

"No sir"

"Alright everyone, I'll be in sickbay and if the doctor ask I have not spoken to you yet," Matt said as he rushed out of the conference room and towards sickbay.

(Kesha)