When the past comes back

Posted on Sun Oct 26th, 2025 @ 5:34pm by Captain Jason Elliot & Varris Elliot

812 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Match sticks and Gasoline
Location: Starbase 5
Timeline: Two weeks ago

On:

The transport ship slid into it's berth at Starbase five, it's lone passenger looked out the porthole as the gangplank airlock engaged, the hiss of the door sliding open. Jason stepped out a single bag over his good shoulder, his left arm was still in a sling from the accident aboard Columbia. He walked at a slowed pace towards the exit he saw two figures standing at the end of the walk way. The two figures became clearer as he approached, Commander Jordan 'Howie' Horowitz and a woman that looked familiar, as he got closer it finally dawned on him and he smiled. "Howie keeping company with Romulans now?" he said with a big smile.

"Now that's not the most insulting thing said to me..." the man said shaking his hand, "I believe you remember Varris?"

Jason felt his face flush ever so slightly he looked into her eyes, "It's been too long Varris, how are you?"

"I'm fine these days' what happened too you?" the Romulan woman asked

"The Columbia got hit by an Ion storm and in a futile attempt too get help the shuttle I was in got wrecked." Jason said

"You always were a lousy pilot." the Bronx tinged accent of Commander Horowitz said with a laugh

Jason laughed but his gaze was on Varris, "Yeah so I'm here for a few days on other business, but I'd like to catch up later, I need to find Deck thirty."

"I can show you there Jason, I'm sure the Commander has more important things to do." Varris said.

The Commander took that as a cue to leave, "We can meet later Jason, good too see you again."

Varris waited until the other officer was away then took his hand, "I can't believe I get too see you again, did you want to talk in private?"

"Yes, when you reacehed out I was uncertain initially, but you said you wanted to talk in person so I made an excuse to get over this way." Jason said

She took his hand and looked at him. "My quarters are one deck up and I think I should tell you something before we get there."

As they walked Jason picked a moment too speak again "So what's the secret?"

Varris squeezed his hand, "I have a daughter, she's about ten earth years old..." Varris paused as the color drained from Jason's face. "I should have contacted you sooner but when I reached out through your office on earth but they said you were out of communications range, and when I head about the....break in..." she paused wanting to be apologetic, "I didn't know what to do so I waited."

"The last six years I've wondered if I should reach out, then last month after a mission I got word you were a civilian liaison here so I needed to make an excuse to make my way here, I'm glad you were here."

As they kept walking they held hands, walking down the corridor Jason spoke, "So what have you told...." he Paused not sure of the child's name. Varris broke the silence "Her name is Sehila, she has the same color eyes as your mom from the photo you showed me the last time we saw each other, I told her that you were away because of your job when she got older and that when the time was right you'd come to meet her, I didn't want to lie too her about you either." they both paused she looked into his eyes, "I didn't want you too change your life."

"One thing most Romulans don't completely understand about humans, we'll do anything for our families." jason said holding her hand tighter "Shall we go and try to be a family?"

As the two entered Varris' quarters Jason took in the mix of Romulan and Federation styles, and sitting at a coffee table occupied with what looked like a coloring book, the little girl stood "Hi mommy!" she exclaimed as Varris walked into the common area Jason staying a few steps back, Varris knelt down close too eye level of the child "Sehila this is Jason Elliot."

"Hi Mister Jason!" she said with a giggle

"Hello Sehila." Jason said politely.

"Wait..." she turned and took a few rushed steps over to a picture that was on a shelf, "You're the man in this picture with mommy!" she walked over holding it then turning it to show Jason, he looked at it with a smile. It felt like a lifetime ago looking at the image he saw a younger version of himself not aware of the past years, He looked at the little girl, she jumped over to Jason hugging him at the waist, Varris looking up at him a single tear in her right eye a smile crossing her face.

End

RSS Feed