<USS Avalon> Memories

Memories 
by Captain Keith Ketchum 

After watching Ms. Davis leave his quarters, he sat down and picked up the 
book that he was reading.  Opening it to the place he stopped at, he never read 
a word, in fact, all he saw was the face of John Forester.   

Recalling the first conversation he had with John was at his mother's 
funeral, "You have your mother's eyes." 

"Thank you, Captain.  She was a wonderful lady." 

"I am sorry for your loss, John, yes she was a wonderful person.  The ferengi 
attack on the colony was unjustified, but unfortunatly Starfleet will not do 
anything without the Councils approval and the Council has agreed to not 
provoke the Ferengi Alliance, but rather let them perform an internal inquiry 
on 
the attack." 

John just nodded. 

"Have you thought about going to Starfleet Academy?" 

"I had thought about it, but I'd rather get out into space, and skip that and 
go as Enlisted." 

"Are you sure, I could put in a recommendation for you." 

"Thank you, Captain, but that won't be necessary." 

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Keith's memory changed again and this time he was watching himself talking to 
Jennifer, John's mother, young and beautiful, Keith was only an Ensign at the 
time and they were talking.   

"You are going to be a father, Keith.  It's going to be a boy." 

"I can't ... it's too early in my career."  Visually nervous. 

"But he is your son." 

"I'm sorry.  Maybe later on I could help." 

"You will never see him and he will never know you're his father, Keith 
Ketchum."  She turned and walked away from him.  Keith sat on a bench and put 
his 
face in his hands. 

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The next thought was watching himself, now a Lieutenant Commander and on 
leave for his mother's funeral, walking towards the Forester house, he rang the 
chime.  The door opened and Jennifer stood there, "May I help you?" 

"Jennifer, it's me, Keith." 

"I told you never to come around, you'll never see him." 

"Who is it mom?"  The voice came from a side room. 

"No one, John." 

Keith's voice whispered, "Is that him?" 

"Yes, and you will not see him, ever." 

"Don't be this way, Jennifer.  Please." 

She stepped outside and closed the door, "You were the one that turned your 
back on us.  We're happy now, and don't need this in our lives." 

"Very well, then I offer this to you, that if you need anything, just contact 
me.  I will try to do my best for either of you." 

"Just go, Keith, and don't come back." 

Turning, he walked away. 

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Coming back to himself in his quarters, he closed the book and sat it back 
down.   

His son was gone.  The Ferengi have paid the price.  Now it was his turn.

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