<USS Avalon> "Always Something Else"

Always Something Else
Captain Keith Ketchum
and
Patience Merritt-Ketchum


The numbness began in her face and spread like a burning river of lava. Her 
ears, then down to her neck, shoulders and arms. Quickly it consumed her 
stomach and her legs felt leaden. Patience closed the console and then slowly 
repeated the gesture with her eyelids. Calm, stay calm. 

Taking a deep breath, she finally managed to stand. It wasn't supposed to be 
like this. She'd just began knowing the crew, had made some progress with 
Skyler, had began to truly feel at home. She took a shaky step towards the 
replicator. It was nearly dinner and Keith would be home any moment. How could 
they do this to her?

Keith walked from his meeting with Captain Dareth, things were rather unique in 
the circumstance. He hoped a call would be returned to the open space from 
Josh. He turned the final corner and entered his quarters, "Honey, I'm home." 

Patience stepped from their bedroom and stood only two steps inside the living 
area. "Keith," she said quietly. 

He turned to look at her, he knew the way she said his name that something was 
up, "What's wrong? Is it Dawson? Tess?" 

"No... it's..." And the information she'd been sitting on that afternoon poured 
forth. "A transfer. Me." The tears rolled down her cheeks and she stepped back 
to lean against the wall. 

He walked over and hugged her, "A transfer isn't something to be crying about. 
It's the nature of the beast." He wiped her tears. "You never know the day that 
things like this will split up married couples." 

"I know... just... there was a crisis. A Science ship that carried a lot of 
children. And because of my specialty... they... they need me." She wiped at 
her tears as well. "I don't mean to break down. This is important. I love it 
here, though, and I don't want to leave." 

"But those kids need you more. One day, you'll be back, once I yell at some 
Admiral somewhere." 

She gave a half hearted smile. "I'm sure you will." Tiptoeing, she kissed him 
softly. "Tell me you're home for the evening." 

"Well, being the Captain, doesn't guarantee that. And with a member of the crew 
missing, we never know." 

"A crew member's missing?" She leaned back and looked at him. 

"Mr. Garrity, is missing. His shuttle and himself have not returned from their 
mission." He left out the parts of the Banshee and the Temporal issues. 

Pacey took a deep breath. "His wife... she's been informed?" 

"I'm sure she is aware, Mr. McEntire and Ms. Li are currently looking for his 
shuttle. And they do work in the same department. Mr. McEntire would be 
probably the best to tell her anyway. But I am hoping that he is found." 

"As am I. I wish... I wish I could stay and help. But the USS Arrowhead is set 
to rendezvous with us in 23 hours. I know you're aware they're returning some 
of your crew members. But that is the ship I'm supposed to take to transport me 
to my next assignment." Her words were quiet and her brown eyes seemed a little 
less full of life. 

"I understand. We shall see each other again, leave is a wonderful thing," he 
winked.



"It'll have to be, won't it, love?" 

"Unfortunately, until I can threaten that Admiral that called for your 
transfer. Though then I would be out of work, so I could come there anyway. But 
that day is not today, shall we eat, or something else?" 

Giving a coy look, Pacey ran her hand down his chest, "I was thinking something 
else... "

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