Inside his quarters, Lataro began to pack things away. T'lan rested in his room, so Jon was trying to be as quiet as possible. For the past couple of days it had been hard for him. He was seeing things that had K'Lara written all over it, but it was definitely something that he needed to do regardless. The main living area wasn't too hard. Their décor was Klingon, sparse and functional. However, Lataro decided that he wanted to decorate the bedroom and did it in such a way that any human male would -- in black or earth tones, not pastels and flowers. Looking around, Lataro smiled as a tear fell, "Thank god that he had married a Klingon who didn't like the frilly things of life."
Lataro went through the closet and couldn't see why they even had that. Mainly their closet only consisted of various uniforms and little civilian attire. That made it somewhat easier for the commander, for any and all of K'Lara's personal affects made it that much harder for him.
The door chimes rang.
"Enter," Lataro responded wiping the tears away.
Captain Maruu entered. "I'm sorry, am I disturbing you?"
"Not at all Stephen. What can I do for you?"
"Well, Jon. I have some good news for you and by the looks of you, I think that you can use some good news about now."
"I don't think that anyone or anything can really cheer me up."
"I don't know Jon. How about this?" Maruu said smiling, handing him a PADD.
Lataro took the PADD and looked it over. His eyes bulged and a small smile formed on his face. But as quickly as it appeared, the smile disappeared. "I can't accept this."
"Jon. You can't stay here any more. Command has given you another assignment."
"How do you feel about it?"
"Commander, you have been a good friend and a good officer. Like you said, you can't stay here anymore. There are just too many memories tied up in the Virgo and she must go on. So do you. I think that you need to take this assignment and the promotion."
"But...."
"No 'buts', Captain Lataro," Maruu said extending his hand. "I am proud see you get this promotion. You deserve this as much as anyone else. I am sorry K'Lara can't be here with you to share this moment, but we all know that from wherever she may be, she smiles upon you."
"Thank you, Stephen," Lataro said taking his hand and shaking it. "I will never forget you."
"Nor I, my friend. I guess that you need to get another pip and change your uniform."
"Change my uniform?"
"With the promotion comes a change in assignment. You are being assigned Starfleet Intelligence."
"Black huh?"
"Black," Maruu said with gentle nod. "Good luck to you, Captain Lataro."
"Thank you."
Maruu turned and left. As he left the door, he turned down the corridor and stopped, looking back at Commander Lataro's quarters. He was going to miss him. "May the Prophets be with you wherever you go."
It had been a few hours and the packing took no time at all. The new promotion and change of assignment momentarily did make him smile, but without his wife to share in the joy, there could be no happiness.
"T'lan. It is time, son." Lataro said bending over to pick him up. The black tunic now with four gold pips on it rode high on his waist. Putting T'lan on his hip, with his underhand, Lataro tugged down the tunic. "This uniform is going to take a little getting used to."
"Dada. Black!" T'lan said patting his father's shoulder.
"Yes son."
"Ewww."
Lataro picked up the small bag which held additional uniforms and T'lan's toys. Just as he headed for the door, Captain Maruu came in.
"I'm sorry, Captain," Maruu said with a smile. "Am I disturbing you?"
"Not at all."
"I am here to escort you."
"Thank you."
Lataro started to head for the door and just as he passed the threshold, he turned around and looked at his quarters. With a solemnest attitude, he lowered his head and walked away. As he turned the corner, he noticed the hallway lined with the crew of the Virgo. It led to the shuttle bay. Lataro and T'lan walked the small gauntlet with Captain Maruu behind. "Attention on deck," Maruu bellowed. The officers popped to. Lataro smiled as he walked by each officer, each one special to him. Finally the reached the shuttle bay, and a small class 3 transport shuttle was awaiting him. Lataro passed the other senior officers and finally turned around just before entering the shuttle.
"Permission to disembark," Lataro said to Captain Maruu.
"Permission granted."
Captain Lataro entered the shuttle and the door immediately shut. Momentarily, the shuttle lifted up and headed through the forcefield.
"All hands. dismissed," Maruu said. "Good bye my friend. Good luck."