Karissa had just walked through the door to an empty house. River was still at the park with the twins, and William was going to be late. An emergency had come in that he had needed to take care of.
Just as she was putting her bag down on the sofa, her comm. chirped. She smiled going over to it. As she opened the channel, she saw a familiar face.
"Hi, Nige!" she smiled. Nige and Dinara Tyran had been a couple of her closest friends aboard the Ronin. Both Bajoran, and Karissa had even been an important part of their wedding. It had been quite difficult to say good-bye to them.
"So how are the new... digs?" he asked with a smile.
"The house is wonderful!" she smiled, her eyes sparkling. "And my office? Well, I have never had such a nice office! I even have a view! Not that I didn't love the stars, but I overlook a garden now!"
"Sounds very pleasant," he replied. "You know, you sound a lot better than you did here."
Her smile brightened. "I feel better too. I finally have some... space from everything. I use to think that if I left the Ronin, my memories of Ryan would leave me. That's not the case though," she said, her dark eyes gazing at his. "I can actually smile now when I think of him, not that I don't still miss him, but the pain isn't as bad anymore."
"That's good to hear," he replied. "And how are you and Will getting along?" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he asked.
She giggled softly. "He and I are doing great. He's really been patient with me," Karissa said. "I couldn't ask for a better partner... in all things." Her smile revealed more than her words. "And he's never threatened by Ryan's memory. I don't know how he does it. I don't know if I would be as understanding in his position."
"He loves you," Tyran replied with his own gently smile.
"And I love him," she smiled. "He's helped me through so much."
"I know," he replied. "And how are my favorite twins?" he asked, changing the subject a bit.
"They're doing fantastic!" she replied. "In fact, at the moment, they're at the park with the babysitter."
"I bet they love that," he smiled.
"Oh yes! They definitely love the park!" she laughed. "And you should see them on the jungle gym!"
"Just like mom?" he asked with a laugh.
"Oh yes! Half the parents don't know what to think, I'm sure, since Luc and Maya are only 22 months old and have better agility than most of the other children there. So how are things with you and Dinara?" she asked.
"We're doing great. Thinking about putting in for our own transfer. Maybe to the supply base or... maybe even another ship. We haven't really decided yet. But we think it's time to move on from the Ronin. So many of us are gone anyway, and this ship does hold a lot of memories... some best with some distance as you said."
"Ryan was a good man," she said softly, a hint of sadness in here eyes. "A very good man... and a good Captain."
Suddenly a black cat jumped onto Tyran's lap. "Oh, I guess Torasu wanted to say hello," he laughed. "I think he's missed you. You seemed to be the only one that truly understood him."
She laughed softly. "Well, it takes a cat to understand a cat," she replied with a wink.
Torasu meowed at her through the screen.
"I miss you too," she said to her feline friend.
Suddenly, the front door opened as the twins burst inside with River following closely behind. The twins were giggling as River chased them, pretending to try to grab them. She actually was able to grab Luc, who giggled like mad. Suddenly, River saw Karissa and smiled.
"Oh hi!" she said, "I didn't think you'd be back yet. Sorry we weren't here. Just took the kids to the park."
"I figured as much," Karissa smiled.
Suddenly Maya crawled into her mother's lap and waved at the screen. "Hi Uncle Nige!" she smiled brightly.
"Uncle Nige!" Luc added with enthusiasm. River immediately put him down so he could run to the console as well. "Hi, Torasu," Luc added seeing the black feline.
"Torasu!" Maya added. "We miss Torasu."
"Well perhaps you'll get to see him soon!" Nige replied. "Dinara and I were thinking about taking a week off and going down to Serenity. A good place for some shore leave, and of course we'd have to bring Torasu."
"Come visit!" Maya said excitedly.
Both Karissa and Nige laughed. "I guess you know they want to see you."
"Me or the cat?" he laughed in return.
"I'll venture to say both." She replied.
"Well, I'll talk to Dinara and see what she thinks of the idea," he smiled.
"Great! Just let me know. I'll set things up for the both of you. After all, you're family! I still have the earring of your family that you gave to me." Karissa smiled.
"I knew you'd always keep it close to your heart," he smiled. "Well, I'd better let you tend to the brood. I'll let you know when Dinara and I decide anything."
"Please do," Karissa replied. "And stay in touch."
"You know I will," he smiled. "Bye now."
As the channel closed Karissa smiled, looking forward to a future visit from her friends.
"Uncle Nige go?" Maya asked, gazing up at her mother.
"Only for awhile," Karissa smiled. "We'll see him again soon."
back to TOC