Hi Honey, I'm Home!

Posted on Tue Aug 8th, 2023 @ 2:07pm by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Captain Jack Solomon

2,639 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 116 - "A Bounty of Trust"
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: MD3, 2359hrs

During the trip back from the Delta Quadrant, Deela started to think about what happened just a few days ago when Jack came back...

He was almost home... he was nearly there...

After being classified "Missing In Action" for the last two years, Commander Jack Solomon was almost home, almost back at Starbase 400.

Having been kidnapped by his Mirror Universe opposite, Jack had taken an opportunity to escape that he thought would never present itself. He was luck that when one of the guards stumbled into his cell when delivering his meal, Jack reacted to it.

It was a gut-instinct reaction. He'd moved and taken out the guard right away, pulling out the phaser from his holster and killing the other guards in the room in three swift shots.

His actions were automatic, his instincts crying out to be home again, with his wife, his family, worried that they'd now given up on him. He'd made his way through to the docking area of the location he was being held captive in, taking aim and killing anyone who got in his way.

He'd been kept prisoner for so long, his own thoughts were to safeguard himself and stop his opposite, Solly as he'd nicknamed.

When Jack had run into the docking area and Solly ran at him, it was a natural move to change the setting on the phaser to its maximum and a single shot later meant that Solly had been vapourised.

It didn't take long to get the Runabout out of the area, however, Jack also knew that there were others working for Solly and he'd often had meetings with them in front of Jack's cell to show him off as a trophy or prize.

However, it had been the threat that Solly had made... against Deela, against the children that had driven Jack to escape and make sure that an evil like his would never be allowed to extend his reach out into the galaxy.

He'd killed others before in self-defence, but Solly's end was purely driven by Jack's need to protect his wife and family. Solly had tortured him and made him struggle against his own self-belief at times and Jack's decision to have him vaporized was driven by need.

Knowing that he wasn't the same officer, the same man who had been captured two years ago, Jack had gotten in touch with an old friend from his days on the Wildcat. Captain Walker had given him an off the gird shelter, food, and supplies and understood his friends' need to recover himself, to regain his own self after the ordeal he had been through.

Jack had quietly lived in solitude as he learnt to rebuild himself, not worrying for anything except how Deela and the children were and if they were ready to have him back amongst them.

Two years later and Jack made the decision that he was ready. that he was as close to being his old self as he could be. Sitting on a flat surface within the hills of the shelter on the planet Ba'ku, Jack crossed his legs and calmed his mind, a technique that he'd learnt many years ago from Deela.

He calmed and quietened his mind until there was only one thought within him, growing inside him, manifesting itself and building its presence within him.

Jack opened his mind and simply projected this simple thought: "Deela, I'm alive"

Deela was with Jim when she was hit with a wave of emotion. She couldn't explain it but she sensed that he was alive. Before, it was just her wanting to believe that he was alive but this time, it was more. She still wasn't sure if it was because he's been gone so long that she was fooling herself into believing he was alive or if it was real and he was trying to connect with her. Or...maybe...she was going crazy. It caused her to shiver for a brief moment. She needed to meditate, something that she had stopped doing. She's been in an emotional wreck for almost two years and anything her father taught her was gone. If Jack WAS coming home, he'd find a different Deela than the one he left.

Jack held his composure as he reached out to Deela, but also felt that she was unsure of his call. Relaxing himself, Jack looked around the cave and decided it was best to leave his "home" and go back to his home on Starbase 400. Having been glad of his experience in Engineering and Operations, Jack had managed to keep the Runabout he'd stolen in one piece and in working order.

Gathering his things, Jack headed down the path to where he had hidden the craft and stepped on board. Once he had the systems online, he activated the transponder, with the Runabout now recognized as the USS Colorado. Once the Runabout was clear of the planet, Jack guided it out of the Briar Patch and as soon as he was clear, he set a course for Starbase 400.

The trip would take some time so Jack decided to take a chance to rest with the Runabout on Autopilot and ready to alert him should anything come across their path.

*** SEVERAL HOURS LATER ***

Jack awoke to the alert going off and made his way from the rear cabin. Once in front of the pilot controls, he saw why the alarm had gone off. the Runabout had dropped out of warp just before the perimeter of the Starbase and several patrol ships were surrounding it.

"Unknown Vessel, this is Captain Enteki of the USS Conqueror, please stand down and state your purpose for being in this location. You violating Federation Space and we will take appropriate actions to protect ourselves," came the hail from one of the patrol ships.

Jack nodded as he understood that they were doing their job. "Captain Enteki, this is Commander Jack Solomon, Chief Engineering Officer of Starbase 400, Serial Number AC - 565 - 789 on board the USS Colorado. Please recognize my serial number and rank for this installation," Jack said, hoping that his Starfleet official records would be enough for him to be recognized, even if the runabout wasn't.

Whilst he waited for them to confirm who he was, Jack leaned back in the pilot's seat and once more reached out to Deela.

"Deela, I'm home, I'm here. I'm alive and I've come back to you," he said using his mind as best he could. "I'm alive and I need your help," he begged before sitting forward.

"Standby, Colorado, do not deviate from your current position," Enteki replied before closing the channel.

Deela was in her quarters when she swore she heard Jack call out to her. Someone in OPS frantically called her. She knew then that she wasn't going crazy but he had really made it back. But a part of her was nervous as well. What if it was a rouse by Jack's doppelganger to trap her. She needed to know.

Deela hurried out of her quarters and practically ran over to OPS, "Admiral. There is someone claiming to be Jack Solomon. We weren't sure what to do. I remember you warning us that someone might be trying to get to you and harm you."

"You did right." Deela tried to hold her emotions in but she was out of practice, "Escort him and once he's docked, he's to be accompanied by security to sickbay. I'll meet him there." Deela was excited but scared at the same time. It had been two years. She had no idea what kind of condition he was in.

Four escorts, as directed by Deela, surrounded Jack's roundabout. Enteki opened a channel up again, "You have permission to dock. Once docked, there will be a security team there to meet you." The security team was notified about the situation.

"Understood Conqueror, following your lead as ordered," Jack replied. He guided the runabout into the docking area and put it down gently on a landing pad. Once settled, he picked up his bag and held the long strap in his right hand. Walking out of the runabout slowly, Jack was greeted by the security team.

"I'm Commander Jack Solomon, Chief Engineering Officer of Starbase 400, Serial Number AC - 565 - 789 and I am un-armed," he said, coming to a stop and dropping the bag on the floor with his hands up. Several minutes later, Jack had been escorted to Sickbay, where he was directed to take a seat on the nearest biobed.

Surrounded by the security team, Jack knew that they were doing their duty and didn't hold any ill will against them. All he wanted was to see Deela and to prove that he was himself and that he was home.

Deela rushed to Sickbay. She wanted to believe that it was really him but then again, it might be a trick. As she was rushing, she bumped into Jim who had heard that Jack might be back. Jim wouldn't tell her how he knew and she didn't care right now. He stopped her, "Look. I know you still don't trust me but I can help you. I can tell if he is really your Jack. I know this guy inside out."

Deela didn't have time to argue, "Come then. I need to know." She had one way to tell if he is her Jack, a mind-meld. She hadn't done one in a long time. It was risky though."

Jim, knowing her, knew that she'd do what she wants so he just followed her. She ran into Sickbay to see a man that she almost didn't recognize. The security guards tried to keep her at a distance but she wouldn't have it, "I need to make sure that he is not someone else. Jim stayed back just to observe.

All Deela could do was stare at him. She spoke in almost a soft whisper, "Jack? Is that really you?" It was a dumb question but that was the only question in her mind right now.

Jack looked at Deela, making sure that he made eye contact with her. "Yes sweetheart, it's me... I am Commander Jack Solomon, Chief Engineering Officer of Starbase 400, Serial Number AC - 565 - 789 and more importantly... your husband," Jack answered, before raising his left hand and wiggling the finger that had his wedding ring upon it.

"However, having been away for so long, I can understand that you'll want to take some precautions and tests to make sure its me, so feel free to poke, prod and scan me as much as you like. I'm not in a hurry to go anywhere now that I'm home."

He sat calmly and quietly after he spoke, hoping that Deela would see that it was really him.

They didn't need to perform any tests to see of he was really her husband. Being who...what she was...is all she needed. But she was stopped by a security guard whose main concern was to keep the Admiral safe, "Ma'am, I can't let you do that. He could be an imposter here to harm you."

Deela glared at the guard, "Look, there is only one way to know for sure and that is a technique my people do. So, stand back and if you feel it necessary, point that phaser at him and keep it there until I'm finished here."

"I understand." He turned to Jack, "I won't hesitate to fire upon you sir."

Deela took his hand and looked into his eyes. She could feel what he was feeling but a feeling wasn't enough. She had to touch his mind, become one, just as others of her race had done. She put her fingers on his face and began the procedure, uttering those familiar words, "Your mind to my mind, your thoughts to my thoughts." As she connected with him, she saw everything. Tears rolled down her face as she watched his torturer do awful things to him. She saw through his eyes everything he saw and experienced. In order to make completely sure, she delve a little deeper. She didn't want to too much deeper, knowing the effects it has on people but if she was going to convince Starfleet, she needed to. It was a little uncomfortable for him but she was sure he knew it was necessary as well. As she finished, Jim walked in per Deela's request. When she was finished, emotions rushed through her like never before. It made her falter a little as she felt weak.

"Jack, I..." She couldn't finish her sentence. She deeply and passionately kissed him. She didn't care who was in the room. He was home.

Jim observed Jack. He knew Jack's captor. His eyes were dark and there was evil behind them. He had seen it so many times in his dealings with him. When she was done kissing him, he saw Jack look over at him. His Jack from his universe, hated him so much that he couldn't fake it. It was all he needed. He didn't want to ruin this precious moment. Satisfied, he left to give them privacy but not before saying something to the guards, "You can put your weapon down, it's the real Jack. Maybe you can leave the room now?"

"Once the Admiral dismisses us, we will be staying." The guard turned his attention back to the couple. Jim walked out.

Deela turned to the guard, "He's right. You can go now." She didn't wait for a response, "Leave us." He did as he was told. She looked back at Jack, tears still wetting her face.

Jack reached out to Deela and touched her face with his hands. She was real, she felt real and after the mind meld she'd just completed, Jack knew that he was home and that his wife stood before him in tears. He stood up and held her to him, holding her tight to him.

"Baby, I have missed you, I'm so sorry," he said, failing to fight back the tears that were building within him. Jack held on for dear life, just in this case this was some illusion, some ill wiled nightmare or a horrible trick that was being played on him. After all he had endured in the last two years, he was taking nothing for granted and that included being certain that he was back home with his family.

After what seemed like an eternity, Jack pulled back a little and looked at Deela through eyes that were drenched with tears flowing. "It is you isn't baby? I am home aren't I?" he asked. Jack just wanted to be sure.

"It's really me and you are home. I promise, this isn't a dream. She took his hands in hers, "Now, let's get out of here and back to our quarters. I know of two kids who will be so glad to see you." He was a little skinnier than she remembered but other than that and a little malnutrition, he was okay.

Jack smiled. I like that plan, its good to be home...and I'm developing a proper appetite again. Take me home baby, please." Jack said, not asking but saying. After all he'd gone through, he felt closer to being back to normal and being home once more would be a part of that.

"Me too." She smiled back, something she hadn't been able to do for a long, long time. She motioned to security that they were leaving. It had been an emotional rollercoaster ride, even for her, "Shall we?" She was just happy that it was finally over.

Deela snapped out of thought when her XO asked her if she was okay. She nodded, "I'm fine." She straightened up in her chair as she composed herself.

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