| Part 2 |
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| Chris contacted Judge Travis on Loyalia and informed him of what they had found on Aurora. The Judge told Chris to drop the refugees off wherever they wished and return to Starbright Station to debrief with the Confederation Council. That evening, Chris went to the mess and found that most of the refugees were gathered there, talking. Ezra sat somewhat apart from the group, staring down at his feet with an unreadable expression on his face. He was a far cry from the scruffy-looking man they had met the previous day, now he was immaculate in his appearance. His hair had been trimmed and he was now clean-shaven, his pants and tunic were of soft linen, which he wore with a silk over-tunic. A year and a half of rough living had obviously not dulled his appreciation for the finer things of life and although he�d been with these people the entire time, he held himself apart from them, as though he was afraid to get too close to anyone. Chris shook his head and wondered what he�d gotten himself into inviting this man to join his crew. Chris sat down near their table and casually listened to what they were saying. �I don�t know about the rest of you, but I can�t wait to get back to civilization,� the man named Bailey stated, glancing at the four women seated around them. One woman pushed her long blonde hair away from her face and said, �The colony was less settled when we started out for it. By now they aren�t going to need me. What am I going to do?� Ezra glanced up at the woman and said, �Really, Miss Moss, I�m sure you can find something you can apply your not inconsiderable skills to.� Another woman glanced at Ezra and asked in a lilting voice, �What are you going to do, Mr. Standish?� Ezra smiled and glanced at Chris before answering, �The captain has been kind enough to offer me a position among his crew, which I accepted.� The woman looked saddened at the news and asked, �So, you won�t be continuing on to the colony with us?� He shook his head and said, �I�m afraid not, Miss Hayes. That was a life I intended to share with � with Alyssum. She�s gone now.� His expression grew wistful for a moment, then the poker face was back in place and he added, �It�s time for me to move on.� One of the other women straightened up and said, �Well, I agree with Jonah. I can�t wait to get to the colony and settle down with Jesse and Cindy.� The woman Ezra had called Moss rolled her eyes and mumbled, �Maybe you and Jonah can settle down together.� The woman with the lilting voice poked her with an elbow and muttered, �Donna! Be nice.� Donna smirked at her friend and whispered, �Come on, Ainsley. You know they�ve been seeing each other for months!� Ainsley continued to glare at her reprovingly, until Donna finally said, �Sorry, Christina. I didn�t mean that the way it sounded.� The woman in question, looked at Donna as if she was trying to decide if the apology was genuine, then said, �It�s all right, Donna. We�ve all been under a great deal of stress.� The fourth woman at the table nodded in agreement and added, �It�s quite late. I need to get the children to bed.� She stood up and scurried from the room. The others called their goodnights to her. Ezra got to his feet and said, �I must agree with Mrs. Travis. It really is quite late and I need to get plenty of rest if I am to fully recover.� Donna and Ainsley politely bade him goodnight and he left the room. Jonah Bailey and Christina looked at each other suspiciously. Jonah spoke first, �Why would the captain ask him to join the crew. The way he faints so regularly, it�s obvious he�s been sickly since last summer.� Christina frowned and added, �He never did recover fully, and then when he awoke to find that Alyssum had passed on, well he was a mess. That poor child was the only thing that kept him from losing his mind completely.� Ainsley frowned and said, �Ezra is not sickly, Christina. He just doesn�t take care of himself. He works until he�s dead on his feet and doesn�t eat enough to keep a bird alive. If he does things like that, of course he faints from time to time.� Donna nodded and said, �Obviously the captain sees something in Ezra that none of us have, if he asked him to join the crew.� Christina and Jonah stood up and left the room, both were obviously perturbed at the women for sticking up for Ezra. Chris took that moment to approach the two women. He smiled and said, �Excuse me, ladies, but I couldn�t help but overhear your conversation. I�m Chris Larabee, captain of the Lady Luck.� Ainsley looked at Donna and frowned, wondering if the words of two people had ruined the only chance at happiness Ezra might have. She smiled and said, �I�m Ainsley Hayes and this is Donnatella Moss.� Chris smiled and said, �You two aren�t sure what you�re going to do either?� Both women shook their heads. Chris smiled and said, �I�ve already asked Mrs. Travis to stay aboard as our protocol officer. The colony already got one, when she didn�t show.� Donna frowned, �You want us to stay?� Ainsley gasped and asked, �But why? What can we do?� Chris smiled and said, �You have a degree in law, Miss Hayes. We may need your skills to write up agreements with the people we meet in our travels.� Donna frowned and said softly, �But I-I don�t have any special skills like that.� Chris grinned and replied, �Mrs. Travis tells me you have a way with children, Miss Moss. With her staying and Ezra staying, we�re going to have four children on this ship that are going to need someone to watch them when their guardians are busy.� Donna grinned and said, �And when I�m not doing that, I�m sure I can find some way to be helpful. Oh, thank you, Captain Larabee! I won�t let you down!� Chris smiled at her exuberance and said, �No, I�m sure you won�t.� Chris turned serious and said, �Now that we have that out of the way, I wanted to ask you a few questions about Mr. Standish.� The women exchanged a glance, then turned back to the captain. Chris nodded and asked, �How often does he have these fainting spells?� Ainsley sighed and shrugged, �It depends. In the summer, he was having them quite often. We thought it was the heat, but Cassie pointed out that he�d gotten them before it got very hot.� Donna nodded and said, �Normally, he�s fine. It�s only when he gets working so hard and doesn�t get enough sleep and enough to eat and drink.� Donna frowned and added softly, �Alyssum always had to hound him to eat right and rest occasionally. When she died, he didn�t have her to stabilize him and the spells became more frequent.� Ainsley nodded and said, �Until Cassie figured out what was causing them. She usually makes sure he eats and sleeps enough.� Chris frowned and said, �But she�s just eleven, she should be able to be a kid. Someone else will have to make sure he takes care of himself.� Chris smiled at the women and said, �Thank you, ladies. You were a big help.� He got to his feet and started to leave; then he paused and asked, �Who does that one little girl, Marissa, belong to?� Ainsley smiled and said, �Oh, she�s Ezra�s.� Chris frowned and asked, �Who�s watching her now?� Both women answered simultaneously, �Cassie.� Chris nodded and left. It must be hard on the girl. Not only was she probably given responsibility for all the younger children but, when she wasn�t watching them, she had to watch Ezra. Chris vowed that he would do something about that in the morning. ********************************* The next morning, Jonah, Christina and her children were dropped off on the colony that had been their original destination, before the accident that landed them on Aurora. Jesse and Cindy bade a teary goodbye to Ezra. The man obviously had a way with children and had possibly helped Cassie watch them on Aurora. Josiah came up behind the smaller man and laid a hand on his shoulder. In a low voice, he said, �You�ll be able to send messages to them and you can visit from time to time.� Ezra looked up and nodded. �Still,� he replied softly, �I shall miss them greatly. They are dear children.� Josiah nodded and came to the reason why he�d approached Standish. In a stern voice, he asked, �Did you have something for breakfast?� Ezra looked surprised, then somewhat embarrassed. He quietly shook his head in reply. Josiah nodded and gently pulled the smaller man in the direction of the mess. Chris was right, this man definitely needed someone to look after him. As they made their way to the ship�s mess, Josiah decided to ask Ezra a few questions. Glancing sidelong at the Southerner, he said, �Did Marissa get something to eat?� Ezra glowered and said, �I take good care of my daughter, Mr. Sanchez!� Josiah smiled and nodded. In a soothing tone, he said, �I�m sure you do. But why don�t you take care of yourself?� Ezra sighed and shook his head. �I apologize, Mr. Sanchez,� he said quietly, adding, �It�s just that � Mrs. Davies often implied that I couldn�t care for Marissa correctly, since my wife passed away. She usually said that I should give her care over to one of them.� He paused and looked up at the larger man, �Marissa is all I have left, her and Cassie. I have never been negligent in their care.� He blushed and continued, �My own is another story. I have never had much of an appetite. I realize that I should eat more than I do. It�s just that � I get distracted by some other task and completely lose track of time. Before I know it, the day has left me and I haven�t eaten anything.� Josiah nodded and asked, �Is that what happened the first day?� Ezra hesitated for a moment; then nodded. Josiah frowned, why did he get the distinct impression that he was being lied to? Ezra walked on ahead, then looked back and said, �When I would take Marissa and Cassie out to play by the ruins, I packed a picnic lunch for them. They ate when they got hungry. I often was so caught up in � exploring that I forgot completely, until it started to grow dark and we had to head back for supper.� They reached the mess and Ezra headed directly for a table in the corner, where Cassie and Marissa were sitting with Janet. Josiah smiled as he saw the little girl�s face light up with joy. �Papa,� she squealed in delight. Ezra picked her up and hugged her. After bestowing a gently kiss on her forehead, he said, �Hello, Darling!� He turned to Cassie and greeted her in much the same way, then sat beside her and looked at Janet. In a more serious tone he said, �Well, what do you have to say, Doctor? Are the children in good health?� Josiah pulled up a chair to join them, as Janet answered, �They are both fine. I�d be happier if Cassie got to spend �� she broke off, then mumbled, �How do I put this?� She looked back up at the Southerner and said, �If she got to spend more time being a child. She doesn�t really need to be responsible for Marissa, Billy or Katie anymore, now that Donna is in charge of childcare.� Ezra nodded and said, �That�s true.� He glanced down at his lap and said, �And I should be able to take care of myself, should I not?� Janet frowned and said quietly, �I didn�t mean to offend you, Ezra.� He looked up and nodded, �I realize that, Doctor Fraiser, but that is what you were thinking, correct?� Janet nodded silently. Cassie frowned and said, �You take care of yourself, Ezra.� Ezra smiled and shook his head. In a soft voice, he replied, �That�s kind of you to say, Cassie. But you know as well as I, that most eleven-year-olds are not forced to scold their elders after fainting spells.� He turned back to Janet and said, �May I presume that you have a solution to this quandary?� Janet nodded and said, �I want to adopt Cassie. That would be one less thing for you to worry about and I�ve always wanted to be a mother.� Cassie began to protest, but Ezra cut her off, saying, �Cassie, my dear, we will still see each other, the ship is not that large. Also, we both know that I have been more of a doting uncle to you than a father.� Cassie grinned slightly and nodded. Ezra patted her head and continued, �I would let you get away with just about anything to see that beautiful smile light up your eyes. What Doctor Fraiser is suggesting may be what is best for both of us.� Janet smiled and said, �I�m glad you see it that way, Mr. Standish.� Ezra nodded, then said, �Marissa is mine, however, and I wouldn�t give her up for any reason.� Josiah stepped in at that moment, saying, �And we would never ask you to, Ezra, but you need to take better care of yourself.� Ezra nodded slightly and said vehemently, �I shall!� Josiah smiled and said, �We are going to see that you do. Next week, you will report to sickbay and Janet will give you a physical. In the meantime, I�m going to be making sure you get into a regular routine, so you won�t forget to eat and sleep.� Ezra glowered at the two concerned medical people, but nodded slightly. Janet smiled back at him and said, �So, what do you want for breakfast?� Ezra shrugged and replied, �A muffin, some coffee?� Josiah frowned, then looked Inez and called, �Three morning specials please, with coffee and juice. Also a bowl of cereal for the young lady here.� Inez nodded and bounded off to fill the order. Ezra frowned and looked at the suspiciously, �What�s in the morning special?� Janet smiled and looked at Josiah, then replied, �Scrambled eggs, ham and toast with jam.� Ezra�s eyes grew wide and he protested, �I won�t be able to eat that much.� Janet frowned and told him, �You�ll eat every bite, or you�ll go back to sickbay.� Ezra looked away dejectedly, but Cassie and Marissa both giggled. Ezra looked at them in mock anger and said, �I suppose you find it amusing that I am about to be forced to consume enough food for three people?� Cassie nodded and stifled her laughter long enough to say, �It�s about time someone made you eat normal, Ezra.� Ezra frowned, then shrugged slightly and chuckled. Although he complained that he couldn�t eat the huge amount of food that was placed before him, he made his way through all of it; then settled back contentedly. *********************************** After a quick stop at Babylon 5 for some much needed repairs, they used a jump-gate to get to Starbright Station. Upon arriving, Chris and the other senior officers met with Judge Travis. Travis frowned slightly, �Your crew seems to have expanded, Chris.� The captain nodded and said, �It�s something of a tight fit, but they are all necessary in the smooth functioning of the ship.� Travis smiled and said cryptically, �You�re going to be away from Starbright Station for quite some time after this point.� Jack frowned and said, �Are you trying to come to some point, sir?� Travis smiled and replied, �There�s something I�d like you to see, Chris.� He walked over to an observation window and pointed out at a large ship. �That�s one of those new Solari Class vessels,� Buck observed softly. �So it is, Buck. The prototype ship, in fact,� Travis replied, �Can you see the name, Chris?� Chris squinted, trying to make out the words emblazoned on the hull. Jack chuckled and said, �Larabee�s Lady!� Chris�s eyes grew wide and he turned to Travis, saying, �Does this mean what I think it means?� Travis grinned and said, �A brand-new ship. Commissioned especially for you and your crew. We did say the Lady Luck was only going to be temporary, didn�t we?� �Well, yeah,� Chris replied, awed. �But I never imagined�� �Congratulations, Chris,� Jack said, patting the smaller man on the back. �But, don�t Solari class ships have enough room for a crew of over one hundred-fifty people,� Jack added softly to Travis. Travis nodded and replied, �You�re crew will have close to one hundred-fifty people in it, especially when everyone�s spouses and children get on board.� The repercussions of the Judge�s words quickly hit the first officer. With the wives, husbands and children of the various crewmembers on board ship, they could go further from their home-base and explore longer, without fear that the crew would become restless and homesick. Jack�s thoughts turned to one person in particular. A certain archeologist had been pining for his wife. A smile graced the tall man�s features as he thought about Daniel�s reaction to seeing Sha�re again and then learning that she could remain on board. Chris, however, was staring out at the ship. His Lady! A newly commissioned vessel that he would take out on its maiden voyage. He was so excited that he could hardly contain himself. ******************************************** Mary set out who would get which quarters, quickly learning that the command crew did not stand on formality. Certain people wanted to be near their friends, no matter what position either person held in the crew. Jack all but ordered her to put his quarters as close to Daniel�s as possible. When she tried to point out that it was not proper for a member of the Archeological team to be on the same level as the members of the Bridge crew, Jack told her that she had his permission to put him on a lower level, if that helped. When those details were ironed out and all the crewmembers were pleased with the quarters that had been assigned to them, Chris sounded the general boarding call. The crewmembers came on board and began settling into their rooms. Josiah peered into Ezra�s quarters and smiled. The smaller man was busily trying to unpack his daughter�s bag, while the girl just as quickly put things back into it. Ezra finally sat back, exasperated and exclaimed, �Marissa, darling, why ever do you insist on packing your belongs away as quickly as I get them unpacked?� The little girl blinked in confusion and said innocently, �Helping, Papa.� Ezra stared at her for a moment, then jumped at the sound of Josiah�s booming laughter from behind him. He turned to the large man and shook his head, then said, �I suppose you find this amusing, Mr. Sanchez?� Josiah nodded and said, �Marissa, why don�t you come here and help me with this box?� As the little girl bounded happily over to the large man, her father smiled in thanks and got back to what he�d been trying to do. ********************************** That evening, the command crew gathered together in the mess for dinner. Jack frowned and looked around at the room. �We need to name this place,� he mused softly. Buck frowned and looked at him askance, �Why? The mess doesn�t usually have a name.� Chris shook his head, then added, �Not usually, but the mess is not usually this nice either. This place is practically a restaurant. I think Jack�s right. It should have a name. Any ideas?� The members of the command staff began shouting out names, until Jack silenced them all with a sharp whistle. When he had everyone�s complete attention, he said, �I believe Danny was trying to say something.� Daniel rolled his eyes at Jack�s use of the nickname he truly hated, then said, �Thank you, Jack. I was trying to say, maybe we should call it �The Four Corners Saloon�?� Buck frowned and said softly, �I don�t get it.� �That is not at all surprising, Mr. Wilmington,� Ezra cut in from a nearby table, then added, �I believe Dr. Jackson is referring to the fact that the crew will come to this place from every corner of the ship. Adding the appellation �Saloon� makes it more...cozy?� Daniel smiled and said quietly, �Exactly, Ezra.� Jack nodded and said, �Ya know, Ez, you can call him Daniel and everyone else by there first names for that matter.� Ezra frowned and said quietly, �The use of a person�s given name implies a familiarity and friendship, that I do not enjoy with any crewmember as yet, Mr. O�Neill.� Then he scowled slightly and added, �And I would prefer if you did not shorten my name. I am �Ezra�, not �Ez�.� Jack shrugged and mumbled, �Yeah, whatever, Ez.� Ezra, however, had stopped listening. All his attention was directed at a petite redhead that had just entered the room. In a soft voice, he tentatively asked, �Who is that enchanting woman?� Buck grinned and said, �Colleen Roberson, the ship�s Chief Engineer.� When the woman turned and walked gracefully over to where the other members of the Command crew sat, Ezra blushed furiously and turned away. Josiah saw his reaction and grinned broadly. �Colleen,� he greeted the small woman, softly. �Hello, Josiah,� she said in reply. Before she could sit down, Josiah rose to his feet and directed her to where Ezra sat with his little daughter. He touched the embarrassed man�s shoulder and said, �Colleen, this is Ezra Standish. He just joined the Archeological team.� Colleen smiled and said, �You�re one of the people we rescued from Aurora, aren�t you?� Ezra looked up and nodded, then swallowed and said, �Yes, I am. This is my daughter, Marissa.� Colleen grinned and sat down next to the child, saying, �What a dear little girl! How old is she?� Josiah turned and walked away, feeling that he�d done his good deed for the day, and if it helped to ground the Southerner enough that he took better care of himself, perhaps for the week! End |