When will he return?

Posted on Wednesday November 4th, 2026 @ 12:42pm by Nicole Eagle & Commodore Carol Hogan

1,195 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: S9, E3: The Big Dig
Location: Hogan’s office

It had been three months, three long, lonely months that Nicole had been without her husband. As much as she had her daughters for company all three of them were missing JJ. Now she stood outside Carol Hogan’s office she wanted answers. She pressed the door chime and waited.

Carol knew who was at her door. She did not hide behind her yeoman, so walked up to the door and let Nicole in. "Mrs Eagle, sorry to keep you waiting." Carol said, as she walked over to the cabinet in her office. Near it was a replicator too. "May I offer you a drink?"

“No, thank you” Nicole shook her head. “I don’t plan on keeping you from your work for long. It’s been over three months since my husband left this station, my daughters are missing their father as much as I’m missing him. What I want to know is when he’ll be back?”

"I am sorry Mrs. Eagle its taking this long. We must assume, that no communication is a good thing." Carol said, also wondering why she had not head from Omek or JJ. She had debated about sending another ship into the alternate universe, to check on them.

“I’m not looking to place blame Commodore.” Nicole added as she looked towards Carol. “I’m understandably worried about JJ. We’ve never been apart this long, at least not without contact, not since we were children.”

"Domingo has the upmost faith in his abilities to see his mission through, and I have no reason to doubt the Admiral. I understand this is hard for you. Mr. Eagle, is helping the Federation and we are grateful for his contribution to the war effort." Carol said, trying to re assure but feeling like she was sounding like a political diplomat with her response. She hated it, but she was not sure what else to say in this moment.

“In all honesty Commodore, JJ and I have been a team for a very long time. As much as I couldn’t leave this station for the sake of my girls, I’m not used to being left out of what my husband is doing. We’ve always worked together.” Nicole didn’t elaborate further.

"It is tough raising kids, you have three right?" Carol asked, as she thought of Anastasia her own daughter. She knew it would be difficult to leave her for any duration. But Carol did not have the same bond with Ian Mansell as Nicole had with JJ. She cared about Ian, but he was a starship captain and she was a Commodore of a fleetyards.

Nicole nodded. “We do, our twin girls, and our adopted daughter Elora, who’s currently at Starfleet Academy. The girls were our miracles as we had problems with previous pregnancies. It makes family all the more important.”

"I know how you feel, I have a pre teen myself, she is a bundle of joy." Carol said to her, as she went on. "I promise you, if I hear anything, I will notify you." Carol said, as she reached out to touch Nicole shoulder as she stood up, and walked over to the replicator. "I am going to replicate another coffee, do you want anything."

Nicole let Carol’s words sink in. “A hot chocolate would be lovely, thank you.” She took a deep breath. “I apologise if I sounded annoyed, I’m just not used to being without JJ. When you’ve been together as long as we have you come to find a long time apart disturbing.”

"I understand what you mean, I hate being alone from Ian. He is my man. Right now he is still in orbit but the 4rth Tactical Group is getting ready to deploy, he commands the USS Vernonia." Carol said to her, as she replicated a hot chocolate. She grabbed the cup and walked over to Nicole and handed her the cup, as she took her cup and sat down in the chair near her.

Nicole nodded. “JJ was adopted by my parents when we were young, he lost his parents. He used to steal food from our home until my parents tracked him to his hideaway, he became special to me from the moment we met. I’m a firm believer in destiny, and JJ was destined to be the man in my life.” She blew her drink before taking a sip.

"I can see he means a lot to you. I barely know him, but I know that Admiral Martinez trusts you all. And he highly respects you all. I know this is hard, and I really appreciate everything that JJ is doing for the war efforts. I will do whatever I can to look after him and your entire family. I hope someday soon, we can have dinner together." Carol suggested to Nicole, with a warm grin on her face.

“That would be nice.” Nicole nodded offering a warm smile. “If you’re ever looking for a special gift please feel free to drop by the store and see what we have to offer, I’m sure JJ would be happy to give a special price just for you.”

"I will take you up on that offer, as soon as he gets back to the station." Carol suggested to her, she loved shopping, and she had been wanting to redesign her quarters on the station.

Nicole nodded and smiled. “Thank you for being so understanding, I didn’t intend to charge in here and make demands or anything. I guess I should get used to JJ not always being around.”

"You did not charge in, I appreciate you stopping by. I have been meaning to stop by and check in with you. Those pesky Klingons are keeping me busy." Carol said to her. She hated the fact, that she had yet to stop by and visit Nicole and check in with her.

Nicole smiled warmly. “That’s alright, you’re busy running the station so I don’t expect you to have the time to run around. If I can be of any help please feel free to ask, I am a Betazoid and my senses could prove useful.”

"I am serious, I would love to have dinner with you and your kids." Carol said to her, as she smiled in the general direction of Nicole. She wanted to make an effort to get to know Nicole Eagle.

“I would like that very much” Nicole smiled warmly. “I haven’t really made any friends here as yet, which for me is unusual.”

"What are you doing later tonight? My daughter has been wanting to go back to Lowry's Bar and Grill in the promenade." Carol asked, as the meeting was preparing to end. However, Carol wanted to meet up with her later on.

“I have no plans, just another night in with the girls” Nicole added. “I’m sure they’d love dinner out.”

"Does 18:00 work for you?" Carol asked, as the scene starts to fade away. She could not wait to meet the twins and have them meet Anastasia.

 

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