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In bed, Sam stares up at the ceiling of his quarters. He knows he should get up, get ready so he has time to eat before his shift. But his limbs are so heavy that he might as well still be trapped in that Gorn goop.
He forces his mouth open. “Computer, what time is it?”
“The time is 0721.”
0721. He starts at 0800. If he gets up at 0745 and hurries, he can make it to the lab in time. Sam closes his eyes. “Computer, set an alarm for 0745.”
Seconds later, his communicator chimes. “Captain Pike to Kirk.”
Sam sighs and opens his eyes again. “Kirk here.”
“Sorry for calling you before your shift starts, but you’re needed in the shuttle bay. We’re receiving some plant samples from Starbase 1.”
Sam sighs again and rolls out of bed. “On my way, captain.”
~
In the shuttle bay, Sam finds the captain. “I wasn’t told that we were expecting anything from the starbase.”
“I know. But they’ll be worth it, I promise.” He points to a newly arrived shuttle as a woman peers out of its opening doors. “Look.”
Sam follows his gaze and his jaw drops. “Aurelan?”
She grins and waves at him from the opening of the shuttle. “Hi, Sam.”
“What - what are you doing here?” he gasps. He rushes up the shuttle and wraps his arms around her. “God, I missed you so much.”
“Chris called us. Told us you had some free time and could use a little company, so we flew right in.”
Sam’s smile falters. “Who’s ‘we?’”
Aurelan turns back to the shuttle. “Boys?” Three grinning faces peer out from behind their seats.
“Oh my God.” Sam spreads his arms wide as his sons run into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”