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Posted on Wed Oct 19th, 2022 @ 9:20am by Vice-Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Earth, Starfleet Medical
Timeline: 19/08/2397
2510 words - 5 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix cornered Gary in his office and dragged him to the transporter room. "We have to beam down to Earth" She said to him. "Starfleet Medical Shuttle Padd." She said to the transporter chief. She had not told anyone about Garrett calling her about Josephine, due to wanting to keep it quiet.

After being cornered in his office by Phoenix and then being forced without explanation to go to the transporter room with her, Gary was more than a little confused. He was very confused. "Commodore, Phoenix! What's this all about? Why are we beaming down to Starfleet Medical? Specifically, the shuttle padd? What's going on?" He questioned even as he got on the transporter pad.

"We are going to welcome a crew member home" Phoenix said and nodded at the transporter chief. "Energise chief."

"Yes ma'am" And they were beamed to the surface and right where Phoenix had wanted them.

As the pair materialized on the surface, at their destination, Gary questioned, "Welcoming a crew member home?" Repeating Phoenix's statement. Then a light clicked on, and it dawned on him. "Josephine?" He prompted his eyes on Phoenix.

Phoenix nodded and pointed up at the incoming shuttle. "She showed up on the Galaxy Station a couple of days ago."

"Galaxy Station? Garrett's new command? How did she end up there?" Gary asked as the inbound shuttle grew larger.

"Beamed in by... Well Michael Bishop" Phoenix said. "Garrett is looking into it. Gary, after all these months.... and no I have not told Arrianna yet."

"Beamed in by Bishop? Gary sounded incredulous. "I'd be interested in what he finds." He nodded at Phoenix's last statement. "I think that is wise, not telling Arri until we see Josephine and proceed from there."

The shuttle came in to land. "Gary, just one thing... Josephine is pregnant." Phoenix said softly as the shuttle settled on the padd.

To Gary's He credit he kept a composed look on his face even as voice registered his surprise. "Pregnant? By Cragen I take it?" He nodded, "Okay, we can handle this."

"Yes we can. But can she? Can Arrianna?" Phoenix mused as the shuttle lowered the ramp.

A security officer came out leading the way. Behind him, the tall thing blond they had known exited the shuttle. Dressed very differently from the last time Phoenix had seen her. A pale peach maternity shirt over black pants and sneakers. Her hair was pulled up into a messy pony tail. As she stepped onto terra firma she took a deep breath of Earth's Oxygen and smiled.

The security officer noted the two command rank officers and bowed his head. "Ma'am and Sir." He said moving back to allow Josephine move past him.

Phoenix stepped up as Josephine moved out. From the looks of her, nearly 7 months pregnant at least. "Josephine,"

"Commodore" Josie said with a smile. "Captain" She greeted Gary.

"Josephine. Good to see you." Gary returned with a smile. Then to Phoenix, "Commodore, I suggest we move from here and somewhere that we can have a private conversation."

"I am to report to Starfleet Medical" Josephine said ruefully.

"Yes." Phoenix said linking her arm through Josephine's. "Which is where we will escort you. I hear it is quite a story as to how you are... well you."

Josie's cheeks went red. "Yes Ma'am it is."

"Well, please enlighten us, Josephine." Gary replied, "That's if it isn't too embarrassing. You know the commodore and I can keep a secret. So, anything you tell us is confidential."

As they walked towards the main building, Josephine took a breath. "Kyle Cragen.. I knew him in the 1660's. I didn't know he was El-Aurian. He was just a lord who was close to the king. I never expected him to show up in this time. He.. broke me. Mentally, emotionally, physically. I don't know how much you have been told by Arrianna... but he basically brainwashed me. Bishop broke it after Kyle was captured by Lilly Kass and her crew. It took months. He kept me his prisoner for months, no torture or sexual acts from Bishop. Then he just told me I was being let go." She was glossing over a lot but she wasn't ready to speak about it all.

Gary wasn't stupid and he knew Josephine was leaving out a lot and just giving Phoenix and himself a broad overview of her time as a prisoner. He also knew Phoenix what Josephine was doing as well as Josephine knowing they knew. 'Bishop broke the conditioning. That's impressive. Too bad he isn't one of the good guys." However, you are safe now." He told Josephine.

She nodded in response. Her eyes darted around. "No Arrianna?" she asked curiously.

"No.. I thought it best that she not be aware just yet. Arrianna's mental health took a beating as I am sure yours did as well." Phoenix replied.

Josie nodded. "Yes you are right, it is probably for the best."

"It's only for a short time Josephine. You and Arri will be reunited soon." Gary assured her. "We just need to figure out the best way to tell Arri you are back.''

Phoenix nodded.

Josie took a breath. "If I may, I have a few things to deal with on Earth so... Once that is done I will contact her directly."

"Josephine, I don't know if that's a good idea. Obviously you have to meet and talk but allow us to talk to Arri and tell her you are back." Gary commented.

The lieutenant nodded slowly. "I just want to do it on my terms. A lot happened. And...." She looked at Phoenix then at Gary. "Did she tell you, that she helped Cragen?"

"I understand. I do however think that either Phoenix or I should be there to monitor your meeting and yes, she did tell us, and I imagine you have to talk over that and other things." Gary answered.

"A lot happened Captain. I love Arri, do not mistake me. But I used my own knowledge of her to try and stop her and it didn't work and she seemed to revel in it. I know what I did. My own crimes are probably myriad but I need to approach this on my own terms. And if I am every able to return to active duty on the Elysium, I am not sure i will be with Arri when I do." Josephine was honest.

Phoenix remembered how she had last seen Josie. In barely any clothes, simpering at Kyle Cragen's side. It had been eye opening. "I believe that Alicia or Savar will want to help you personally. Once Starfleet medical clears you, I will arrange for you to return to the Elysium."

"Josephine, I appreciate your honesty, no we appreciate your honesty." Gary answered. "Take your time, don't rush into anything. Phoenix is right let either Alicia or Savar help you. We are a family, and we help our own and you are one of us." Gary said honestly.

Josephine nodded "Thank you both" she said softly. Then she glanced at Phoenix. "Is he in Jail here on Earth?"

"Yes." Phoenix replied.

"I have to serve him with papers."

"Papers?" Phoenix asked.

"Divorce Papers" Josephine said firmly.

"You.. and Kyle Cragen?"

"I don't remember the ceremony, but legally yes."

Gary sighed inwardly. "I know you feel you have to do this Josephine but are you sure this is a good idea? Plus would you like someone to go with you when you see him?"

"Kyle Cragen would see that as weakness, that he succeeded in keeping Sephine under his heel" Josie looked at Gary a wry smile on her face. "I have been myself for a few months now, have had time to think about him, both of him. The man I knew and the man who did this to me." she said "I dont want to be weak to him. He would win."

Gary wasn't happy with Josephine's answer but he understood it and he wasn't about to get into an argument with Josephine over it. "As you wish Josephine." He answered simply.

"Thank you Captain"

They paused outside the medical unit which Josephine was being assigned to.

She took a breath. "Ok.. here we go"

"You can do this Josephine." Gary told her. "After everything you have been through, this is a walk in the park."

"Oh for the Gorn on Ely." Josephine said with a smile. But she took a breath and entered the medical bay, with them behind her.

A doctor came up and asked "May I help you?"

"Y-yes Josephine Carlyle here for medical checks."

He frowned. "You were supposed to have a security detail"

"Excuse me?" Josephine asked.

"You have been in the hands of an enemy combatant and are according to your file recovering from brainwashing" He headed to call security.

"Hold it." Gary commanded, his voice flat and sharp. "Lt. Carlyle was checked out by doctor's on Galaxy Station and as far as her security detail. Commodore Lalor and I are it. If you want to pursue this I can get Admiral Zhukov to vouch for the Lieutenant, Commodore Lalor and myself."

The doctor scowled but pointed to a room "That one there"

"Thank you so much." Gary replied as he directed Josephine and Phoenix towards and into the room. "I'll be sure to mention how helpful you were Doctor."

The doctor gave him a look and walked off.

Inside the room a tall woman stood, waiting. Phoenix beamed. "Autumn!"

"Well look what the cat dragged in. Phoenix Lalor as I live and breathe." The doctor had an Australian accent and she wore captain's pips on her medical uniform. "And this must be Lieutenant Carlyle. Welcome. I am Doctor Autumn Jamieson."

Josephine shook her hand. "Hello Doctor"

Autumn looked at Gary. "And?"

"oh Gary, this is Autumn, Autumn, this is Gary Taylor, My XO" Phoenix introduced them.

"A pleasure Doctor." Gary replied with a smile. Extending his hand to Autumn.

She smiled and shook his hand. "So, Lieutenant" she said turning to Josephine. "The medical staff on Galaxy Station sent me through their reports. Your iron levels are low, but you and your daughter are in good health for the most part. You have a few strained muscles but you knew that"

Josephine nodded. "Yes I knew."

"Good, so we will run some checks then I will release you to the counseling unit, where they will do a preliminary session and assign you to a full time counselor, either here on Earth or.." Autumn looked at the two command level officers. "Elysium?" she hedged.

Phoenix nodded.

"The counseling until will take a few days of course."

"Do you need to speak with our counselors aboard the Elysium?" Gary prompted.

"They will. I will make sure the medical file is uploaded to your CMO." Autumn said with a smile.

"Excellent, very good Doctor.' Gary replied with a smile of his own.

Phoenix helped Josie sit down on the bio bed then stepped back with Gary.

Autumn went to Josephine and picked up the tricorder and began the scans.

Gary watched in silence as Autumn began her scan of Josephine. He wasn't doctor but he was impressed with Autumn's thoroughness and her attention to detail as she did her scans of Josephine.

It took a bit but soon enough Autumn finished the scans. "Confirmed all the reports from Galaxy Station. Though your diet will need to be changed a bit. And I can confirm your due date in early November. on or around the 2nd and 3rd."

Josie smiled. "Thank you. I had estimated it around then."

"That is wonderful news, thank you Doctor. One other item. Is Josephine cleared to return to active duty while undergoing counseling sessions?" Gary questioned.

"I believe so, but your CMO has final say. If he believes differently then she will be on limited duties." Autumn said.

Of course Doctor. I was only thinking of getting Josephine back into a familiar routine." Gary explained.

"Knowing what I have heard about the Elysium's CMO I am sure he will do the best for Josephine." Autumn smiled.

Josie took a breath "Thank you Doctor Jaimeson. I will be sure to speak with our friendly neighbourhood Gorn."

Autumn grinned. "I am sure you will. Now we have information that there is an apartment ready for you on base housing if you are ready?"

"Base housing?" Gary questioned. "Can Joesphine not return to the Elysium?" He looked over to Phoenix and knew they still had to talk to Arri. "That is within the next few days?"

"She can return after the counselors do their assessment." Autumn said "It will be a couple of days or so."

"Very well." Gary wasn't pleased. He wanted Josephine back onboard the Elysium and her' 'family.' However, he knew this was one of the hoops Josephine was going to have to jump through.

Autumn handed Josephine a PADD. "Here you go Lieutenant. The counselors will be in touch"

"Thank you Captain." Josephine said as she got off the bio bed.

"On base housing will be awaiting your arrival." Autumn said calmly.

Josie nodded and headed for the door.

"Thanks Autumn" Phoenix said.

"Welcome, send me holos." the doctor said as she waved the three of them off.

"So. what's next?" Gary asked as the trio left the room.

"On base housing" Phoenix said "And then we can leave Josie to put her feet up."

"Sounds like an idea" Josie said with a smile.

"I bet it does Josie." Gary said with a chuckle. "She can't wait to be rid of us." He said to Phoenix.

The Lieutenant gave him a grin. "Now now." she teased "I am the one carrying the extra weight"

Gary grinned broadly at Josephine. "Ah, good one Josie."

They left the medical area and traversed the grounds to the onbase housing and following the directions found the small apartment. "Well much better than the last place i lived" Josephine said.

Phoenix smiled "We will let you rest and see you on Elysium in a couple of days. We need to go and corner Arrianna."

"You know if you need us, we're only a tab of the combadge away." Gary told Josie. "However, do try to get some rest. You've had several hectic days."

"Thank you Sir, Ma'am." Josie said and headed into the apartment.

Phoenix turned and said "Now for the hard part."

"Boy, that was an understatement if I ever heard one." Gary replied. "You know, there's a chance Arri could off the deep end hearing this."

"We can take her, together unless you want to hide under my desk?" Phoenix asked as they headed for the beam out point.

Gary shot her a look. "Ha, ha. Very funny. Phoenix made a funny." He said sarcastically with a smile. "However, you are right we can handle her."

"I am working on my comedic routine" She replied as they walked.

"Keep working." Gary answered, not missing a beat.