It was 0600 and Commander Lataro was sitting in the command chair. He had been commanding the gamma shift for almost a week now, and now it was starting to affect him. T'Lan had been a little terror in his short time in the world, and this beloved little "terror" was keeping Lataro up during the times he was watched. After all K'Lara was on shift and all that there was was the two of them: father and son. So when big Lataro would want to sleep, little Lataro kept him up. So in the week's time he only got about 24 hours sleep.
At the chair, Commander Lataro had his chin propped up in his hand as he tried hard to concentrate on the viewscreen through the fog of fatigue. But it was no use. He dozed up numerous time only to be awaken by different reports of anomalous readings or slight course deviations. This time so "late" in the shift, his eyelids now were heavier then he could stand and sat sound asleep.
In his blissful sleep, Lataro dreamed of beautiful Risan dancers in search of ultimate pleasure. They approached the relaxed commander calling his name. "Jon," they said softly...
"Jon," again they said as they approached him seductively swaying with the wind to the barely audible music. "Commander."
Lataro was now snoring softly.
"Commander Lataro!" The beautiful Risans yelled, but no longer was there voice soft and angelic but rather harsh, manly. It even sounded angry. "Commander Jonathan Lataro!" Lataro recognized the voice suddenly, and, as the harshness of the last beckoning reached his ears, he shot upright in the chair only to be face-to-face with Captain Maruu.
"Captain!" Lataro said, darting up from the chair. He was so embarrassed. The entire bridge crew was laughing at the ashamed first officer.
"Commander Lataro. How long have you been out?" Maruu asked.
"Sir. I am very sorry. It is just that T'Lan..."
"Jon. Relax. I understand. I think that when I and Dana have children (may the Prophets permit), I just might be like you."
"I know, sir. But still, I was negligent."
"Did anything happen?"
"No, sir."
"Then you weren't."
There was a moment of silence as Lataro sat at his chair and looked over the morning reports. He began to doze off again.
"Jon. Go get some sleep," Maruu said.
"Thank you, sir," Lataro said as he stood up and headed for the turbolift. As he entered he remembered something. "Captain. There is a PADD containing some information about the T'rais incident. I think you might find it interesting."
"Okay, Jon. I will read it. Now go get some rest. That is an order."
"Yes, sir," he said as the turbolift door whisked shut.
"He's just curious about all these people. He wants to go meet them all."
Dana smiled as she saw the concern in the half-Klingon's eyes. "I'll take him on a tour while you eat, K'Lara. I'm betting that the crew is curious about T'Lan as well."
K'Lara smiled, "That would be great. I'll pick him up when your shift starts again."
Dana returned the smile as she took T'Lan in her arms. The baby was already pointing in the direction he wanted to go. The doctor laughed as she took him to see Lt. Commander Benton.
K'Lara shook her head and returned to her meal. She closed her eyes and sighed. It was nice to take a break for awhile, but it was even better to return to work.
In the corridor, Commander Lataro passed a few crewmembers casually acknowledging them and greeting them as headed for his quarters. Just as he rounded the corner he noticed Lt. Tomme heading for him. She looked him straight in the eye and smiled. "Good morning, Commander."
"Good morning, Lieutenant. How are you feeling?" he responded, stopping her in the middle of the corridor.
"Besides the morning sickness, the constant headaches, and even the fatigue, I am doing just fine."
"I am glad to hear that. Listen, if you need anything let me know. I think K'Lara would be happy to help you answer questions or anything. After all, she just had a baby."
"I know, Commander, but I don't think she would really want to talk to me even if I was the last person standing."
"You think so?"
"Yes, sir. I do."
"Well then, suit yourself. But I don't think that my wife is anything like that."
"Well I d..." There was a sudden look of disgust in Tomme face. Her stomach seemed to turn as her face turned almost a pea green. "Excuse me, sir. I have got to go!" she yelled as she grabbed her stomach and put a hand to her mouth. She ran to the nearest restroom.
Poor girl, Lataro thought as he continued on.
He neared his quarters where as he entered, noticed that his wife and son were not there. After a quick deduction and the realization that their replicator has been on the fritz ever since the Virgo returned to space, Lataro figured that they were at the DEL for breakfast. So immediately he headed there. I hope I catch her before she leaves.
K'Lara was just finishing her meal when Lataro entered. She was sitting at the table when he approached her from behind. "Hello, sweetheart."
"Jon. Hi. You're off a little early," K'Lara said with a smile.
"Yeah. Stephen let me off early. Where is T'Lan?"
"Dana took him to show him around."
"Really?"
"Yep," she said as she took a sip from her coffee.
"So then I can back to the room and sleep!"
"Yeah really. I would take advantage of this as much as you can."
"Cool! Then I am going back to our quarters."
"Okay. I will see you tonight."
"Okay." he leaned over and kissed K'Lara. "Lataro to Transporter Room One."
"Jon, what are you doing?" K'Lara asked in amazement.
[Go ahead, Commander.]
"I am not going to waste anytime. Initiate a site-to-site transport to my quarters."
[Sir?]
"You heard me, Chief."
[Aye, sir.]
"Jon, you are crazy," K'Lara said with a smile.
"You know it. That is why you love me so much," Lataro said as his atoms began to scatter.
"That I do," she whispered as the last of his atoms disappeared. "That I do."