‘I’m goin’ home I’ve done ma time.’

Posted on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 11:29am by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T'ghann-Dex. Doctor

1,711 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Voices of the past
Location: Commodore Finchley Kerr’s Quarters/Bridge
Timeline: Current.

“Right, here we are at last” Shon said as, finally after what seemed like an age the pair reached Finchley’s quarters. It seemed that half the crew was out and about hoping to catch a glimpse of their miracle Captain. Offering “Good to see you Sir” and “Glad to have you back Commodore and the odd “Thought you were dead” muffled behind another greeting or a cough. Shon shot those a look that would have frozen the deserts on Vulcan. By the time they reached his door he was looking pale. “Let’s get you into bed.” She said in her best physician’s voice as they entered.

Finchley had been glad to see the crew had come to wish him well and he gratefully acknowledged each and every well wish, even those who had made sarcastic remarks about thinking he was dead, he just reminded them that he could always come back and haunt them. Finally arriving at his quarters, and hearing what Shon said, he replied "Now there's an offer I can't refuse" he smiled wearily. The doors opened, and with Shon's help, he made it inside. "You know, I kind of take things for granted, like these quarters" he said, "it's not till you have a slight accident that you realise how much you miss them."

"Slight accident!" she exclaimed rather sarcastically as the doors swished shut behind them. "Now, couch or bed?" she asked as she felt him sag. In fact she had been surprised that he had made it still standing up. Feeling him so close and supporting him made her feel part of him. She could not help but remember her despair when he was clinically dead, his organs shredded and his body broken. But, she had done it, she had brought him back to life with her skill and sheer terror of being without him. "So, bed or couch? doctor's orders."

Finchley looked at Shon, a love in his heart that he'd not felt in such a long time, funnily enough with the same person as he was with now.

"Before I answer that, I want to say something" Finchley replied, "I know I'm not the best person at showing my feelings...unless you count constantly being angry at Karadis and Kilbane for anything they say or do...but thank you from the bottom of my rebuilt heart for everything you've done to bring me back so I can continue to be with you. It was the strangest of things, realising that I was dead, seeing what I saw when 'passing over' in the way that I saw them, interacting with those I did. But hearing your voice, it was...it was as though you were singing to me, guiding me home, guiding me back to where I was meant to be, right by your side. I love you Shon, more than anything in this universe, and that's something I haven't shown you enough of, but that all changes right now."

He held her close, feeling her body against his, feeling her heart beat right next to his own. Slowly he moved his mouth to hers and kissed her softly and gently. When he pulled back, he took her hands in his, "I think bed is the better choice, and if you have nothing on for the next little while, I would dearly love to just cuddle with you till I fall asleep."

For a moment Shon was silent feeling shock, love, surprise, worry, a gamut of emotions whilst she listened to Finchley. This was not like him, never overtly romantic so she knew that he must have experienced something whilst he was clinically dead that changed him, spoke to his soul. His kiss felt so gentle, so loving. She smiled, “I am so thankful you heard me and returned.” She guided him towards the bed. “I loved you from the moment I saw you all those years ago, I know I hurt you badly but I will spend my life making up for that.” She helped him into the bed placing his pillows under his neck. She climbed in next to him and pulled the cover over both of them. She stroked his cheek and kissed him as gently as he had kissed her the kiss not about sex but love and respect. “Now I want you to sleep, regain your strength and In a few days when you are ready you can return to light duties.

Shon's kiss was so gentle and loving, Finchley didn't want it to stop, he wanted the moment to last forever. However, and she pulled back from it and began stroking his cheek, it was another indication of their love for each other.

Sleepily he said, "Before I fall asleep Shon...I need you to do a couple of things for me when you go back to the bridge. The first is easy, ask Karadis to work with McCrudden on how to get us back to Federation space, the second is very much harder. Find Kilbane, talk to him, try to help him see reason over what's happened. I'd do it myself but...I'm...not...in...any...condition...to...do...ssss..." and he was fast asleep.

Shon pulled out her trusty medical tricorder and slowly scanned him listening to him breathing. His sleep was natural and deep, his internal wounds healed and his organs working properly. Sighing she put the instrument away and pressed herself against him. He was right about his requests she thought. One easy, one oh so much more difficult. Did Finchley know she had pointed a phaser at Kilbane? she was not sure. After a while she slipped, reluctantly out of the bed and, after placing a small sensor that would alert her if he got out of bed on his shoulder she left.

Heading towards the bridge she wondered how to approach Kilbane. She had no expectations of anything but sadness, abuse, frustration, embarrassment and loss. Reaching the bridge she could feel the tension rise as she spotted Karadis at the aft science console. "Karadis?"

Karadis looked up from the Science console to see Shon standing there. She herself stood up and walked across to Shon and answered, "Yes Doctor, what can I do for you?"

Shon noted something in the Klingon’s gaze she could not fathom. “I have just taken the Commodore back to his quarters and he is resting, before he fell asleep he asked me to ask you to work with McCrudden to get us back into Federation space as soon as possible and, do you know where Kilbane is working?”

"You finally got the old bastard home then" Karadis replied, "as for working with McCrudden, he'll do what I tell him otherwise he'll get my boot up his backside. As for Kilbane, what do you want with him?"

"What I want with him is no business of yours, if you will not tell me I will find him. Now, tell me, please?"

"You're a bit cocksure of yourself" Karadis replied, "If Kilbane doesn't want to be found, you won't find him, but good luck trying. Once you've come to your senses, come back and see me, then I'll find him for you...and accept your apology."

Shon sighed, she had had enough, she was so very tired. “Look Karadis, it is important I talk to him, if I have to go on bended knee and beg you then let it be so, I am tired of these games.”

"Not as tired as you're going to be" Karadis replied, "don't forget, you're still the ships temporary XO Lieutenant Commander T'ghann-Dex, now, you're still on duty for the next three hours according to the duty rota, that means you find Kilbane in your own time. Also, don't forget, that although Commodore Kerr told you to find Kilbane, he's not currently the CO, neither is Commander Hunter, I am. You're not signed off, so park your arse in that seat over at the Science station. You want to give me back chat and try and be high handed with me, be my guest, just beware of my ire Commander, Kerr isn't here to protect you, how's that for a game?"

Shon laughed, "My goodness Commander two points, no actually three , one I do not need the Commodore to protect me, two I will find Commander Kilbane sooner or later, even if the Commodore has to order him to do so and three I would be more than happy to spend the next three hours with you, I am sure I will learn a lot playing the game with you. Before I sit down Commander is there anything you especially want me to do?"

"Oh yes you do" Karadis smirked, "you're a mouse without him backing you. Yes, you'll find Kilbane in your own time, not ours and I want you to list for me all the particle finds the instruments have picked up whilst we've been in this area of space. There's five gigaquads so far and counting. I'd want them in listed in binary and trinary...alphabetically please."

Shon turned to her console, she knew Karadis knew she did not have the equivalent knowledge to complete the task but she sure as hell would try, she felt Karadis' disarming grin at her back. Two hours later she had had enough. "Commander," she turned. "I have done as much as I am going to do. I have to look in on my patient and also in on sickbay. I am sending the list to you. It is by no means exhaustive. It begins with Antiprotons Pion and Kaon. Anti Helium 4, Barryon, Omega Barryon, Neutrinos Electron and Muons and continues. If you want more then I am sure a science officer will help you." she stood and turned for the lift.

Karadis looked at Shon, she admired that she had the capacity to speak up for herself, "Very well Commander, thank you for what you've managed to find, I hope your patients are all well. When you get the opportunity, please pass on my well wishes to the Commodore, and tell him that at his earliest convenience, when he's feeling well enough, I'd like to have a chat with him."

 

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