Episode 14


Returns


Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Pre Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8

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Chapter 1

Jaquelle gingerly sat down in her cabin. She never knew her body could be so sore. How, she thought…how could she allow herself to be talked into it? Baseball. Some strangle Earth game. She could understand Anna knowing about it but Karenek?

Anna had seemed different lately. No longer worrying all the time about being sick. She said she had learned a lesson from her younger self. Whatever had happened, Jaquelle just wanted to be supportive. So she agreed to learn baseball. There was going to be a ship wide game and Anna was excited about it. So when the holographic third base coach yelled at her to slide, she tried to do what she had seen in the holodeck training program. When her leg jammed into the base she was sure that she had broken every bone in it and taken off half the skin. She hadn't. Rationally she knew she could be all right, after all she was a doctor and was skilled in a medical scanner. It would be embarrassing to have to go to an EMH. But she certainly wished that Dr. Moyer was still there for a second opinion.


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Chapter 2

{Griffin - Ten Forward Lounge}

The effects of baseball, as it turned out, were not quite so painful after a long rest and a decent meal. Nonetheless, if an offer to play ever came up again, Jaquelle had the feeling she would respectfully decline.

The whole ship seemed to be in high spirits, which was a nice change from the confusion and near panic that had come from the encounter with the anomaly. Despite the variety of experiences that the crew and civilians had been through as they saw their lives through the eyes of their younger selves, everyone seemed happy. Some were simply relieved that the experience was over. Others were quite satisfied with the way they had grown over the past fifteen years. Still others thought back wistfully on nearly forgotten hopes and dreams of the past, but seemed determined to either throw themselves fully into their new goals or to revive some of those that had been lost. And then there were those few who were relieved to be free not of their past, but of their future.

It did trouble Jaquelle, those few who had decided that the last fifteen years of their lives were better done over. Her occasional experiences of becoming "unstuck" in time made her wonder if it was possible to change a person's destiny or if everything of even an apparent act of free will like the choice these people had made was predetermined. Jaquelle's thoughts turned to one person who wasn't partaking in the festivities. Ryan Sable was probably making the final preparations for her departure tomorrow. Her announcement at the senior staff meeting that she would be leaving had not come as a shock to Jaquelle, but it still made the festivities bittersweet for those who had known her. Jaquelle drank a silent toast to the young Sable, hoping that she found the happiness that had apparently eluded her older self.

Aside from the announcement of Sable's departure, the Senior Staff meeting after the anomaly's effects had been reversed had gone much as expected. Starfleet had deemed the mission classified indefinitely and Jaquelle could understand why. The lure of something that could allow you to become years younger could be extremely powerful for extremely bad reasons. If it was ever to be used, there had to be some way to decide who really needed the second chance that this anomaly might provide. Until then, official story would be that the people who had chosen to stay young had been in a transporter accident and could not return to their natural ages.

Jaquelle glanced up to see one of the ten-forward waiter striding toward her. In a smooth, sweeping motion, he set down a plate in front of her. On the plate was a small creamy pie.

"I'm sorry, I didn't order this," Jaquelle said. The waiter lifted a hand.

"Compliments of our new apprentice cook," he said. Before Jaquelle could ask what he meant, he was off to another table. Looking down at the unexpected pie, Jaquelle noticed a folded paper napkin with a note written on it:

"Dear Commander Daem,

I wanted to thank you for all your help and your suggestion that I write down how I was feeling when I was so upset about my current life. Reading what I wrote and thinking about how I used to be was hard in places, but I'm mostly happy with the decisions I made. I've changed a lot since then and I know now that I wouldn't trade my husband or my kids for anything. However, I did remember how much cooking used to mean to me. And while I don't think it's going to be quite so important in my life again, I think I could still have a lot of fun with it. So I'm going to be helping out in the kitchen in my spare time. And I wanted you to try my first attempt. Keep in mind, it's been a while since my last pie.

"Best wishes,
Nina"

Jaquelle took a small piece of the pie on her fork and brought it to her lips. The crust was a little bit dry, to be sure. And as she looked at it, the filling was slightly lopsided and the edges were just overcooked. But overall, it was...

"Delicious," Jaquelle thought. She smiled. In time, the friends of those who had stayed young might become more uncomfortable with the unexpected change. And the younger crew members and civilians themselves might start regretting their choice. On top of that, some who had chosen to regain their rightful ages might start to feel that they had missed an opportunity. But for now, they - and she - were happy.


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Chapter 3

{Karenek's Quarters}

Vosch entered his room with the sole purpose of relaxing with a nice mug of warm cider. He had never had cider before, but his new found friend, Ensign Terri Dumas, said she thought there was nothing better to help relieve stress and normal aches and pains. After, the baseball game, he figured this would be a good time to test the theory as muscles he didn't know even existed were making their presence known.

Vosch grabbed the cider mug from the replicator, sat down in his comfy easy chair, free from cumbersome environmental suit, and began his late night ritual before bed.

"Computer, Personal Log: The ship wide baseball game Anna, I mean Lt. Krasinski, organized went over quite well. It was nice to know that I can actually hit the ball as well as strike out." Vosch paused for a moment with a chuckle and then sipped his cider. It was the classic hot apple with just a touch of cinnamon, the type that Ensign Dumas used to drink as a child. It was actually quite good, and then he continued. "Everyone seemed to have a good time... well except for maybe Commander Daem. The look on her face after sliding into third base was priceless. I just hope she is feeling better."

"Of all involved though, Lt. Krasinski seemed to have the most fun. Matter of fact, of all affected by recent events, I think she was the most affected, and retained the most from the whole ordeal. I remember coming onto the ship, when she was so business like, and even had bouts of hypochondria. Now I look at her, and her eyes have retained the look that she had as a nine year old; full of wonder and amazement, and even a gleam of daredevil. I also never witnessed her so open with others as she is now." Vosch chuckled again following another sip from his mug, "I am quite sure, however, when business comes calling, she will be back to her professional self."

Just then the communicator that was sitting next to him toned, "Krasinski to Karenek."

"Yes Sir," Karenek responded almost standing at attention until he realized that no one was actually looking at him.

"I would like you and Ensign Dumas to report to my office at 0700 hours. You both impressed important people with your efforts during the last mission. You two are going to be relocating to the main science labs so that we can work more closely together in the future."

"Aye Sir. 0700," was all that Karenek could say as he was caught off guard. (I was just doing my job,) Karenek thought to himself.

"Oh and by the way, good job at the baseball game today, now we will see if you are as good at basketball."

"Actually sir, I was kind of hoping you could teach me, Kenjutsu?" Karenek said with a slight hesitation as he quickly realized that he was not addressing her in a fully professional manner.

"You have been reading my file, eh?" Krasinski retorted. "I will make a deal, if you can beat me in basketball 1-on-1, then I will teach you Kenjutsu. However, if you lose, you teach me chess. Do we have an agreement?"

"Aye Sir," Karenek responded trying to regain his professional tone.

"Good. See you two in the morning. Anna Out."

Vosch slumped back down into his chair and tried to digest the conversation. He sipped the last of his cider and pondered, "Anna out?" He chuckled again and finished his log, "Personal Log resume: Yes, she is still all professional about business, but I think I like the more personable Anna as well. End Log."

Vosch then went to his bed and went to sleep. 0700 would be here before he knew it.


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Pre-Chapter 4

{Mess Hall}

"Freeman," Ryan spoke up from behind, as Freeman poked at the food on his plate. It had been an odd tendency of Sable's, even when young to call others by their last names.

"Yeah?" he replied, twisting in his chair.

"I'm going to change back," Sable reported, almost triumphantly.

"I hope it works," Freeman stated defeated. He turned back to his food, poking at it again. There was something about being used as a guinea pig--as he so affectionately put it--that could really sink a person's spirits... especially when the results were just as disheartening.

"You haven't heard? Or seen? Where have you been?" Sable somewhat harshly asked in surprise. "The reversing process works now."

"I've been trying to put my life back together... or what's left of it," Freeman nearly snapped back.

Sable seemed dumbfounded or taken back by Freeman's response. "Sorry," she replied softly. There wasn't much difference in their physical and current mental ages, yet the gap seemed quite engulfing at times. How had it been between them when they had been... older? normal? The terms seemed to fit, yet at the same time they didn't. At moments it was almost hard to fathom that there had been any other existence than the here and now. Or rather the existence as it was once, in the past of their elder selves. So many variable mental and emotional paradoxes...

"I... just thought you'd like to know that it's working now," Ryan added, looking at the carpeted floor and absorbing the visual texture. Her statement seemed to result in very little response from Freeman. Slowly, she backed away. "I hope you decide to change back," she said softly, before disappearing from the room and into the corridor.

With so many memories of personal connection and hurt wiped temporarily away, Ryan and begun to build an emotional tie with Freeman. This had fueled her desire to approach him, to inform him first of the exciting news that she would be returning to normal.

But what would her feelings be once old hurt and other feelings returned? Would they even return, and if they did, what would she remember of this incident in time?

It had taken a long time to finally come to her decision. Her mind had been able to concoct an almost infinite number of possible outcomes. Some had been disturbing, others adventurous, and even some... quite plain. It was a difficult decision to make, not knowing the outcome nor remembering herself before the change. Was she a good or bad person, a failure or success? So much doubt...

Finally, the one thing that had pushed her to desire a return to her older person, was the sense of loss she felt with not knowing who she had been. The desire to know, to become that person that the computer held records for and pictures that she found amazingly pretty. To know for certain, in every available detail who she was and why she was here. To close the gaps she found in her memory and sense of self.

But even after the decision was made, there was still the doubts. The doubts that she would be satisfied with what she found at the end. In many ways, this was a chance to start her life over, to undo any mistakes that she might have made and was now unable to remember. Even if the idea itself of this really being a new start was... paradoxical... it still held a good amount of desire.

Sable held a sigh as she chimed at the captain's door...


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Chapter 4

{Ready Room}

"Come," Priscilla called in response to the door chime.

To her surprise, Ryan Sable was on the other side. The teenager walked right up to the desk. "I want to be turned back," she stated simply.

Priscilla nodded, suppressing a smile. She didn't ask what the reasons were, instead tapped her comm badge. "Commander Davidson, we need a team one more time."

"Yes, sir," he replied. After a pause he added, "Transporter room three is open."

"We'll meet you there," Priscilla replied. "Myst out."


{Transporter Room Three}

Doctor Stone, Jack Davidson, and Anna were all there to run this reversal. They waited and worked in silence as Sable grew up before their eyes. When it was done, she stepped off the transporter pad, and exhaled.

"I'm fine," she informed them all.

Most smiled.

"Welcome back," Priscilla replied with her own smile. But as she looked around the room, her glance landed on Davidson, and her demeanor changed noticeably. "Uh oh..."

"Something wrong Captain?" Stone asked, worried that maybe they hadn't noticed something yet.

Priscilla pursed her lips, then shook her head somewhat sadly with a sigh. "It seems I now have two Second Officers..."

Stone looked from Priscilla, to Davidson, to Sable. Then he looked at Anna. "Shall we go confirm the results of this transformation with Sickbay?" he asked.

Anna nodded slightly, knowing he was offering them both an out so the three officers could deal with this touchy situation. "That would be good."

After the two left, both Davidson and Sable turned and looked at Priscilla. She looked at each in turn, without the slightest idea of what to do!


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Chapter 5

Jaquelle walked into her cabin, her shift was over and she had the rest of the day off, finally. It seemed that her entire time as first officer had been one busy moment after another. But today she had some time reserved in a holodeck.

She went to her closet to figure out if she should dress for Hawaii and warm beaches or maybe a seasonable fall day sitting in a small piazza in Florence watching the crowd gather for a marionette show. As she reached into her closet, a chime rang.

"Come in," Jaquelle respond to the noise.

The door opened and there stood Daniel Defore.

"May I have a word with you Commander?" he said.

"Certainly, come in," Jaquelle answered. She could sense that Defore was conflicted, no maybe tormented by something. "Please, sit down," she said.

Defore hesitated, "Is it alright if I stand," he said. Jaquelle nodded yes.

"I know this is a bit strange to come to you, but it’s been a long time since anyone recognized how valuable Jason is and how much he deserved to get ahead," Defore said. "I wanted to thank you, and the Captain too, for making Jason chief engineer,"

At first, Jaquelle just listened, trying to understand what was going on. When she would sense that he was struggling, "You’ve been good friends with Jason for awhile. He is lucky to have someone who supports him like you do," she said.

"No, it’s really the opposite. Several years ago he put his career in jeopardy for me and it has cost him a lot, yet he has never looked back or regretted it." Daniel countered. "He has continued to be a good friend."

"What happened?" Jaquelle asked.

"Starfleet has sealed the incident and Jason made me promise not to tell anyone about it. But I am sure he would have been a Chief Engineer long ago, and maybe even a Captain by now if it were not for what I did and his standing by me," he explained.

"Well, Mr. Defore, I think you also have been a good friend for carrying whatever this is for so long. I still think Jason is lucky." She smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Counselor, um I mean Commander." Jason corrected.

Jaquelle simply smiled broader. "That’s alright, come talk anytime."

Daniel turned and walked out. Jaquelle could almost feel the weight leave him. She hesitated a moment and then thought about her closet. As she walked to get a casual outfit to have lunch in Florence, a voice came over the intercom.

"Commander Daem, we have a personnel situation that I need to talk to you about. It seems we have two second officers," Captain Myst stated.

"Two second officers…" Jaquelle repeated.

"Yes, Lt. Commander Sable is back with us." Myst responded. Jaquelle was happy to hear it but realized the dilemma.

"I’m on my way." Jaquelle stated.

"Actually, we don’t have to deal with it this minute. I know you have some holodeck time right now, just think about it and see me in two hours, Myst out."

(Okay), thought Jaquelle, (at least I have some time to relax. Maybe the beach in Hawaii with frozen grapes being delivered to my cabana is best.) She went to get her swimsuit when her door chimed again. Jaquelle thought for a moment that if she didn’t answer it, maybe she could transport directly to the holodeck. She knew better.

"Come in," Jaquelle called. As the door opened, there was Anna. (Oh good), Jaquelle thought. Anna would understand her need to get away to the holodeck.

"I’m sorry to bother you Jaquelle," Anna said, "but Dr. Stone has sent me to get you. We think we have found a way to get Lt. Freeman back to normal with all of his memories and the doctor wanted you present while we did it. He thought to be safe another medical doctor should be in attendance and because of the possible mental trauma your Betazoid abilities and therapy training would be a plus. He wants to take some time and brief you on the procedure before we start."

Jaquelle didn’t say a word, she just put the swim suit back, and left with Anna.


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Chapter 6

{Transporter Room Three}

After the two left, both Davidson and Sable turned and looked at Priscilla. She looked at each in turn, without the slightest idea of what to do!

The room remained still a moment, tension settling at high tide. Sable fumbled a bit, rocking forward on her toes.

"How is ..." she paused her question to Myst, her face displaying some form of shock. Her memories, as they had instantly rushed back had caused her head to swim a bit in shock. The first strong, emotion-laced memory that she had been able to pluck from the mess concerned the former chief engineer ... McInnis. She had begun to ask how he had faired during the fiasco of youthful officers, but then remembered with a slight embarrassment, that he was no longer on board.

Priscilla turned to Sable's unfinished question with a look intended to encourage her to proceed.

Sable blinked, pursing her lips as she settled upon her heals. She struggled a moment to find someway of asking the same question without sounding out of place or unintended. She managed to pluck out the memory of Freeman. "How is Lieutenant Freeman, ma'am?" she asked pointedly, obviously having intended for her question to take a different route. "Is he... still..." she wasn't quite sure how to phrase her second question, attempting to sound as sincere as she now felt about the topic.

Priscilla looked down slightly. "He's unchanged," she confirmed.

Sable nodded, raising her brows. There was a silence again, and Sable seemed to avoid the more pending problem. "He's decided to stay? Or does he even realize the difference?" For some reason that she could not yet fathom, Freeman's decision did matter to her.

"I don't know," Priscilla replied. "I want him to have as much time as he needs to make a decision." She glanced at Davidson, who was looking a bit worried.

Sable lifted her head as though to nod, but the downward move was difficult to discern. Finally, Sable breathed a heavy sigh, seeing Davidson's expression. "Ma'am, about this whole, position business ..."

Priscilla raised her hand. "Perhaps each of you would like to speak with me in private? Or would you prefer a group discussion like this?"

She half smiled at Davidson. "No, ma'am. It isn't necessary really. I won't challenge to get second officer back. The decision to place Davidson there... well, frankly, I was in no condition to continue in that office. It was prudent, or logical. Whatever term best fits. And... on top of that. Even if my opinion of his abilities may mean little, I think he fills the bill perfectly." Sable straightened her uniform. "With all that's happened, I think I'd be just as happy being a regular CONN officer again... that is if you don't mind."

Davidson looked surprised, and then grateful.

Priscilla smiled. "I don't mind." She then walked past the two, and turned back to face them when she reached the door. "Why don't we go celebrate?"

Sable's smile widened, sighing again as it felt a weight had been lifted. "Sounds like a plan to me, sir." She glanced at Davidson for his reply.

He smiled and nodded. As the two followed Priscilla out, Davidson leaned slightly towards Sable. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," she smoothly replied. "But you owe me your life now ... " she snickered, a little confused by her own humor. "Just kidding." She winked.

Davidson chuckled. And wondered just how much she actually *was* kidding.


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Chapter 7

{Sickbay}

Doctor Stone managed fairly well to keep Anna from going into too much depth on how the procedure would work while explaining to Jaquelle. When they were done, and Jaquelle was nodding in understanding, Stone looked to her. "I estimate there's a 78 percent chance of success. What do you think?"

"I think..." Jaquelle paused a moment to decide which answer she wanted to give. "That it's Freeman's decision."

The three nodded.


{Ten Forward}

By now Davidson, Sable and Myst's little celebration had somehow turned into a Lounge-wide party! A few people had gone back to their quarters and returned with instruments and were now playing jubilant songs to which several couples were dancing. Others were singing along. Still others were telling tales and laughing off on the sides.

Jaquelle had felt the common happy mood as she approached. She smiled as she entered, thinking how good it was for the crew to be able to enjoy things like this after what had happened. She hoped one more who was not sharing the mood, would want to soon enough.

"Captain," she called from just a few feet away to get Priscilla's attention, who was currently leading a group dance of some sort.

With a wave Priscilla passed control of the dance to someone else, and quickly stepped off to stand by Jaquelle. "Yes?" she asked cheerfully.

"Anna and Doctor Stone have devised a process for restoring Freeman, with about threes fourths a chance of success," she informed her.

Priscilla was surprised, but a bigger smile returned to her face. "Wonderful! If it works that is. Come, we should find Freeman and let him know. You can fill me in on the procedure at the same time as him"

Jaquelle nodded.


{Quarters}

"Come," Gordon replied despondently to the door chime.

Priscilla and Jaquelle entered, and then looked at each other for surprise at the state of the quarters. Things half packed, others tossed aside as if having been discarded, other older items placed out for display with a sense of purpose.

Priscilla stepped forward. "Gordon," she started softly. "We may have a way to fix your memory, if you're interested."

Gordon immediately perked up from his slouching state on the couch. But both women could see he was keep his hope at bay. Priscilla motioned to Jaquelle.

"In a nutshell. We would use the record of your transporter pattern from when you were a teenager, which thankfully Karenek had saved as part of the initial tests for later review, to turn you back into a teen. Then we'd run the reversal that we know works, to bring you back to your proper age, mind and body."

Gordon thought a moment. "But it's not actually that simple," he commented.

"Yes and No," Jaquelle confirmed. "It is in that we can revert you, but there is a distinct possibility of mental trauma. But Doctor Stone and Lieutenant Krasinski are confident in their assessments, and believe with the proper help on calculations during the process there is a 78 percent chance of full success."

Priscilla nodded at the news, then looked at Gordon. "Take as long as you want to make your decision. We still have time before Starfleet finalizes the records on who was in the 'transporter accident'..."


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Chapter 8

{Freeman's Quarters}

"I want to do it," Freeman said firmly to the Captain. "This isn't any way for a man to live, not as a shadow of his former self. Not now that I know who I was."

Myst just nodded slowly, looking over to her staff. They thought they could do it, and so did Freeman. So, they would make the attempt.

"All right Mister Freeman... we'll go ahead with the procedure. I'll have the science and medical teams begin getting as accurate representation of your former self as possible ready for the transporter. Please be ready in one hour."

"Aye aye sir," Freeman replied. He hoped it worked, because if what he read about himself was true, he was really losing a lot by remaining as he was.

He made all the personal preparations he needed to make in less than twenty minutes. Walking out of his quarters, he made his way to the transporter room. Gordon Freeman had an affinity for engineering, and if this procedure was going to affect his whole life, he wanted to be a part of the process.

The problem was he couldn't remember everyone's name, and he didn't know why. He recognized the Captain, and Ryan Sable. He vaguely remembered Counselor Daem, and some sort of pep talk she tried on him. But he also thought he remembered a hypochondriac named Krasinski, and an Engineer named McInnis... but it was all a blur.

He decided to just play it safe.

"I think that the transducer coil here can be adjusted into a finer tolerance," he said as friendly as he possibly could. The Engineer he didn't know just nodded, and made the adjustment.

Gordon stood up after that, and wisely decided to just let the engineers do their work. It was odd how useless one felt when they were no longer considered part of the team. He wondered if that was how old people felt, confined to nursing homes after years of participation in life and it's daily dramas.

The time passed fairly quickly by all respects, and soon the people who needed to be there were present.

"Are you ready Lieutenant?" Captain Myst asked. The doctor, whom Gordon had learned was named Stone was there with the hypochondriac scientist, Krasinski. They held medkits and tricorders, no doubt to scan him and monitor his progress.

"Yes sir, I'm ready. Let's get the show on the road," he said with a smile. It was his only way of fighting the ominous sense of foreboding that lingered in the transporter room. After all, they had tried this once with Freeman, and it had failed.

"Please step onto the transporter pad," Krasinski said, taking a place near the transporter controls and the actual pad. Freeman nodded, and stepped up to the front center pad.

"I'll see you again in a few moments Lieutenant," Myst said softly. Gordon just nodded. "Energize."

Freeman watched as the world disappeared in a veil of shimmering blue light ...


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