Ache for the Missing

Jack had been gone most of the morning with Charger, taking the dog for his walk, checking his ship and doing some shopping. But almost as soon as he opened the door to Treya’s apartment, he could feel that something was wrong. Charger dashed in and ran to Katreya, who was seated at the table, quietly hunched over looking at a PADD and the artefact that she had gotten from her brother’s dig site. She had been pouring over the notes, trying to get something done, but her mind refused to focus as thoughts of her brother Michael entered her mind. She’d even pulled out a picture of him . . . and as she had looked upon his face, her heart ached more.

But as Charger had bounded over to her, standing on his hind legs to get her attention and lick her face, she turned and gave him a gently smile, scratching him behind the ears.

“Hey there, Charger . . . How are you doing today?” she asked.

“Maybe a better question would be, how are *you* doing today?” Jack asked as he walked toward the table with concern in his brown eyes.

Charger got down and curled up at her feet as Treya met Jack’s gaze.

“I’m okay . . .” she said softly, but it wasn’t convincing.

“Yeah? And I’m the pope . . .” he replied, going to her. Caressing her face, he asked. “What is it? You thinking about your brother?”

“It’s been so long . . . as far as I know, he could be dead . . .” Tears misted her eyes. “I should have kept looking for him . . . I shouldn’t have stopped.”

“You didn’t exactly have a choice after your encounter in that . . . that . . . whatsits . . . That temple or hall of Knowledge . . .” he said. “Come on, Treya . . . cut yourself some slack here . . . It’s Christmas . . . Think good thoughts.”

“Yeah, its Christmas . . . And Michael should be here!” she said. “And Michael should be here . . . Not somewhere out there . . .” Suddenly, she broke into tears.

Tenderly Jack pulled her into his arms. “Shhhhhhh . . . It’s okay . . . It’s all going to be okay . . . Your brother, he’s a strong guy, right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said softly, trying to wipe away the tears that were still coming.

“Well, I think he’s out there somewhere . . . I think he got away from those guys and he’s just hiding out until he can contact you . . .”

“Do you really think so?” Treya asked, her watery brown eyes looking up into his face.

“Yeah,” he said softly with a smile, caressing the hair out of her face. “I do think so.”

She sighed and nestled her cheek against his chest. “I hope you’re right . . . God I hope you’re right . . .”

“You don’t have to hope that I’m right . . . just think of the kind of man your brother is . . . and your heart will do the rest,” Jack said.

Gently, he bent over and kissed her and for the first time that day, she felt that everything would indeed be all right.