Captain Kitty Mallory had just taken a seat at her desk with her herbal tea. Dr. Cherrin had talked her into cutting back on the Raktajino. She looked at the stack of PADDs on her desk and was about to check her messages when she felt a familiar presence enter her office. As she looked up, she saw K'Tag. Immediately, she smiled.
"Hello there, Commander. It's good to see you!"
"Likewise, Captain," K'Tag replied back. "I trust you and your child to be are healthy?"
"As healthy as ever," she replied. "So what brings you to the station, K'Tag. Is it business or pleasure?"
"I take it you haven't received the message from Starfleet Command yet," he replied.
She was mystified. "I've only just sat down. What is this about?" she asked, now with a bit of concern.
"Your request for a First Officer," he replied handing her a PADD. "Commander K'Tag reporting for duty, Ma'am."
She was stunned as she took the PADD. "Starfleet sent you back to SB901?" she asked.
"I requested the position," he answered. "Claire and I have talked a lot about where she should have the baby. And the one thing that kept coming back to us was the Station. Here is where our family and friends are . . ."
Kitty smiled. "I'm honored that you'd want to come back to us. Welcome back aboard, Commander," she said as she shook his hand. "I also see that Claire has taken a position in counseling . . . That's good. On a starbase this size, we can always use more doctors, nurses and counselors!"
"She will be happy to know that you welcome us back so eagerly," he said.
Kitty smiled. "You're part of my family . . . What else would I do?"
He smiled.
"So are you both already settled in?" she asked.
"Our belonging are arriving now," he replied.
"Then go get yourself moved back in . . . You can start tomorrow," she said with a smile.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Except dinner. My place. Tonight. 1900 hours," Kitty said. "Don't be late."
"Of course, not, Ma'am, I wouldn't think of it."
She laughed softly. "Good! Now go help that significant other of yours get unpacked!"
He nodded and vanished out the door. As she checked her messages, the first was from Starfleet, telling her that her new First Officer was arriving on the station and it was Commander K'Tag. She smiled to herself as she thought about how good it was to have him back aboard. Zac would be thrilled!