[snip]

Captain Glen stirred and the monitors showed that his consciousness was returning. Cross could open up the Captain’s medical records to show Hunter that the worm was already removed, and then much later a meeting with the [redacted] used a [redacted] medical scanner to (mostly) stabilize the lingering effects upon Glen.

When he woke, he was confused about exactly how much time had passed, but he actually felt better. It seemed like his own body might have finally fixed those lingering effects that had remained. He sat up and pulled his legs around before realising that he was connected to tubes and wires.

“Ugh! I feel like somebody’s been beating me with a stick for about six years. What time is it?” Glen asked.

‘’Wow just stay put Captain’’ Cross told him ‘’I have no idea what time it is ,does it matter there’s no day or night on the ship just the roster schedule,list of appointments and roll call, now let me remove all the tubes first …I don’t think you want to drag them around, so be a good boy will you’’ she replied in a humoristic tone .

Glen lifted his legs back up onto the biobed and lay back against a raised pillow.

After everything that was attached to his body was removed the CMO went on ‘’You have been sleeping for a couple of days ,we have recorded the briefing of the Commodore for you its on the bridge and the ship is on its way outside the Federation boarders to a planet called Unity .By the way a new Cmdr was transferred here I believe she’s on the bridge as we speak’‘.

“Sounds like no one missed me much then?” he said rhetorically, and then noticed Faith asleep on the chair. “Has Faith been here all that time?”

‘’Well sickbay sure did not miss you since we where making sure you won’t die on us and Faith also took part in your care ,she fell asleep about an hour or so ago’’ .

Kate came holding a neatly pressed uniform ‘’I’m sure you don’t want to get out of sickbay in your boxer shorts ‘’ she placed it at the edge of the biobed and quietly left.

“Thanks!” Glen replied. “No. Though I have heard of a Captain who always wore short trousers on the Bridge!”
Cross nudged his arm with her fist ‘’Stop pulling my leg Captain ‘’ she teased.

“I’m quite thirsty,” Glen said. “Could I get a glass of water please?”

‘’Sure I’ll go and fetch you some ‘’ on her way the CMO shook Faith ‘’Wakey , wakey dear , uncle Glen has finally woken up from his slumber ‘’.

“Thanks for watching over me,” Glen said. “I know you think that you do, but you don’t owe me anything. I could never have left you and your Mum there, whatever the consequences…” and then looking at her in her medical scrubs, he added, “So, I guess you are leaving us for Starfleet Medical soon?”

“Soon, I hope,” Faith replied, “I’m just waiting for a date to begin.”

When Cross returned he asked, “Am I okay to return to the Bridge? I’d like to meet our new Commander. And tell Hunter that he did a good job today too!”

• Glen, CO