Jack sat in his office chair, the door closed, and stared at his computer screen. The subspace transmission was waiting for an answer, after about a minute of waiting the Screen suddenly showed a man in a Starfleet Medical Uniform pips showing him to be a Lieutenant Junior Grade. He had dark hair combed back and a slight stubble on his chin, his facial features were similar enough to Jack that they might be confused as brothers “Jack?” The other man said in a surprised tone “Good to see you old boy, haven’t heard from you in a while” He said, his accent a more refined Scottish brogue than Jack’s “Aye, our last mission was quite a doozy, some idiot form a ship we rescued shot one of my people, you remember Osler don’t you?”

The other doctor grimaced “Not the great mustachio, is he alright?”

Jack half-smiled “He’s fine, spent half a day sitting on a biobed telling tales of his bravery facing the mad Frenchman”

Jack’s friend rolled his eyes “You have got to get over that thing you have with the French, frankly it’s embarrassing”

Jack laughed at his answer “True, very true. how about you Ben, I hear things are rough on the Athena?” His face turning concerned

There was a slight pause as Ben looked away and scratched his chin “It’s not been easy, ever since I got here it’s been one disaster after the next” He lowered his shoulders and looked back at Jack “You know when I asked to be demoted and was transferred to the Genesis things were calmer, I had time to cope and relax then Betazed was some of the most relaxing exciting work, being back out here is challenging, I mean I wouldn’t give it up for anything, I’m doing good work here but I still think I need a break, I miss home” He admitted

Jack felt an unusual urge to embrace his cousin “I heard from Timor, he’s thinking of visiting His da and I’ve been meaning to take some leave, why don’t we try to sync up on Earth and take one of Jóhanns cruisers to Oed, meet up like the old days?” He asked with a hopeful smile

Ben smiled in response “The Oed system is on the other side of the Federation for me Jack, it’ll take a week for me to get to Earth at this point” He sighed as he saw Jack’s face turn to disapointment “Look I’ll give your godfather a call, he’ kept bragging about his warp 9 vessels”

Jack nodded enthusiastically “That’s the spirit, I’ll let him know, find out next time you go to Starbase 234, that’s a good enough rendezvous” Jack looked around and upon seeing no one he opened his drawer, hit a button which opened a small compartment and took a small flask from it “Family Forever” He said raising the flask.

Ben grabbed his own flask and raised it “Teaghlach Gu Brath” He answered and both men took a swig from their respective drinks.

Then they talked for the better part of their lunch hour before reluctantly saying their farewells and going back to work

Dr Grey’s - CMO’s