Going or Staying

The day was finally starting to wind down. Rahel had been so busy; she’d barely had time to grab a raktajino at lunch before it was back to work. There were some days, she realized, that everyone just needed a doctor for one reason or another . . . and she loved her work. She wouldn’t trade it in for the world. But there were days it was draining . . . completely and utterly draining. As she sat down in the break room with another cup of raktajino putting her legs up for the first time all day, she was surprised to sense Ash walk in.

“Ah! There you are !” He said with a smile, going to her and sitting in a nearby chair. “So what do you think ? Will you go ?”

She gazed at him with her green eyes perplexed. “Go where ?” She asked, though she was picking up a sense of excitement.

“Let me guess ? You haven’t had a chance to catch up on your messages . . .”

“Not really . . . I’ve been swamped today,” She replied as she sipped at the raktajino and letting her blond hair fall over the back of the couch.

“That would explain it then.” He said. “Want me to tell you or do you want to read your messages yourself ?”

“Well, if you already know, why don’t you save me the trouble . . .” She replied. “Since I can tell you’re bursting at the seams to say something.”

Ash laughed. “How would you like to go back to Serenity City in a week ? Spend the weekend and visit your sisters . . .”

“Well, sure, that would be great, but what’s the excitement about ?” She asked.

“Will contacted all of us . . . He wants us to come down for a celebration. Karissa’s is getting promoted to Commander and Shara’s getting promoted up to Lt. Commander. He just got verification yesterday and has been trying to make plans without being caught ever since.”

Rahel smiled. “Well . . .” She replied. “That would be a reason to get excited. I’d like to go and I don’t see why I can’t . . . But I’d like to discuss it with Logan all the same, and Bridie.”

“Of course,” Ash smiled. “But you should see Dad and Mom. They’re already making a fuss. You know how they are.”

Rahel closed her eyes and could see her parents already making plans to do something special for her sisters and make this into a grand affair. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if they were already in cahoots with Will over the party preparations and laughed.

“You know they’re not going to let Will do this alone . . .” Ash said with a grin.

She nodded. “I know . . . It should be an interesting celebration if nothing else.”

Rahel got home in time to sit down to dinner with Logan and Bridie.

“Busy day ?” Logan asked.

Rahel laughed gently. “You could say that . . . I must have seen 100 people today . . . or at least it seemed like it. Had to fix some broken bones . . . repair some lacerations . . . treated several colds . . . Mingari Flu is making its rounds. Even had a couple of cases of hypothermia.”

“I guess you were busy.” He smiled.

“Well, Ash also came to see him. Turns out something big is happening in Serenity City in about a week and we’ve been invited to go.” She said.

“What ?”

“My sisters are getting promotions,” Rahel smiled. “Apparently there’s going to be a party. My parents and Ash are already going. And I know my parents. They’ll have everything planned before Will can even start preparations.” She laughed softly. “Anyway, how would you two feel about going ? After all, we’re invited.” Her green eyes looked at this waiting to gauge their responses.

Logan was quiet for a while holding back his answer. What Rahel didn’t know was that he had already made other plans for the three of them, including arranging cover for Rahel and himself. When he’d contacted Will he’d learnt of the promotions and the proposed party.

“Well…..” Logan started to say “…..I did have plans for that weekend, but I suppose we could go.”

“Plans ?” Rahel enquired.

“You and Bridie have both been through a lot the past month or so and I thought that we needed some time to be together as a family.” Logan explained. “It was meant to be a surprise, but now that I’ve had to alter the plans I suppose you should know.”

“I can’t leave Lake Town……” Rahel protested. “……I just don’t have the time and even if I did, there’s no-one to cover for me.”

“That has all been arranged.” Logan replied. “Will’s going to organise a locum to cover for you.”

“So where are we going ?” Rahel asked.

“There’s a M class planet a few light-years away, known as Tylo III.” Logan explained. “It’s in the Ferengi sector of what was Mulluran space. Some Ferengi has set-up a holiday resort on the planet, sort of a rival Risa. We’ve got six days and nights to look forward to. We can go to the party and leave next day.”

“Sounds nice.” Rahel replied, sounding a little unsure.

“We need some time together Rahel, away from all the trouble of the past month.” Logan said, a touch of sadness in his voice. “It took me a while to realise, but when you were in the coma I thought I’d lost you forever. Having to leave you in that way so I could return to Earth to pick up Bridie, tore me apart inside. I didn’t want to leave you, but I didn’t want to abandon Bridie either. You are both important in my life and I would be lost without either of you.”

“I will never leave you Logan…” She replied. “….and I think a holiday could be good for us all.”

“Yuck.” Bridie commented.

“Tylo III was Bridie's idea.” Logan stated. “A friend of hers from school went there for Christmas and said it was fantastic.”

“Then I guess we need to go buy some new clothes.” Rahel suggested. “Bridie, how would you like a trip to Serenity City this weekend ?”

“Sure.” Bridie replied.