The noise however kept on going and after five minutes, the Captain rose from his bed, looking at the empty side of the bed where Sierra should be. He'd missed her being around, but she had taken the opportunity to return to Earth with their son Brayden. Whilst he was taking the first year academy exams, Sierra was going to do some sightseeing and visit some friends.

Devore had initially been puzzled when she hadn't come back with the Hellcat, but Lieutenant Commander Barker had told him that Sierra and Brayden were returning via another vessel.

He walked across to his console and switched it on.

"Do you know what time it is ?" Devore enquired.

<Five thirty Captain.> Chu replied.

"So why have you woke me up ?" Devore continued.

<Sir, we have a vessel approaching at high warp.> announced, <It appears to be the Enterprise-F.>

*Why would the Enterprise be coming here ?* Devore thought. *The flagship of Starfleet wouldn't be coming here unless it was important.* He reminded himself.

"Have they hailed us yet ?" The Captain inquired.

<Not yet Sir.> Chu answered.

"How long till the reach us ?" The Captain asked.

<About an hour sir> Chu replied.

"I'll be with you in fifteen minutes." Devore announced. "Devore out"

Fifteen minutes later Captain Devore walked onto the Bridge, which was filled mainly with Engineers, repairing various systems on the Bridge. The only two officers on the Bridge were Commander Rashad and Lieutenant Commander Barker. Both were in their white dress uniforms and Devore realised that he was improperly dressed.

Before Devore could ask why, he noticed the newly installed viewscreen. *That wasn't there yesterday.* He thought. Then he noticed the all too familiar image of the Enterprise-F and the two shuttles that was heading away from her towards the Leviathan.

"Am I to take it that you're in dress uniform for a reason ?" Devore enquired.

"Captain, I'm sorry for the deception, but I think we should all go to the main shuttlebay." Commander Rashad replied.

"And stop by your quarters." Chu continued. "We have a special guest arriving and I think he'd like to see all the senior staff in dress uniform, especially the Captain."

Ten minutes later, Devore, Rashad and Barker all walked into the main shuttle bay. All the senior crew still aboard were present, all in their dress uniforms.

The two shuttles had already landed, but only just from the sounds of the thrusters running down. One was the Devastator, a Mustang class shuttle similar in size to a Danube class runabout, the other a smaller Type-20 shuttle attached to the Enterprise. Devore could plainly see the face of Brayden at the helm controls. The door to the shuttle opened and a young command ensign exited.

"Admiral onboard." The Ensign announced.

From out of the shuttle walked a tall Admiral.

"Admiral Ross, it's a pleasure to see you sir." Devore said as the Admiral approached.

Behind him came Sierra and Brayden, both in dress uniform.

As Sierra got closer Devore noticed the three gold pips on her shoulder, she had been promoted. Brayden too had a new rank pin, showing now that he was a second year cadet.

From out of the Devastator came Major Phanan and a group of Marines, Jack Trueman being the only one Devore recognised. The rest appeared to be new recruits, probably straight out of the Marine Academy, all stood in a line in front of the Devastator.
"So Admiral, to what do we owe the pleasure ?" Devore asked.

"Captain Devore, Marcus." Admiral Ross started. "I know that you are not a great one for formalities, I've heard some very interesting tales about your unorthodox means of handing out promotions. So it is my great honour to promote you to the rank of Rear Admiral."

The Admiral opened his hand and passed the small box he was holding to Sierra. She opened the box and after removing the Captain's four gold pips from his collar, replaced them with an Admirals bar with two gold pips inside that was in the box and placing a kiss on the newly promoted Admiral's cheek.

"Admiral, I'm sure all this is news to you, but we have much to discuss. However, I know that you will want to spend some time with your family, so I'll go get some breakfast and see you in your office in say two hours." Admiral Ross said.

"Understood Admiral." Devore replied, still reeling from the shock.

"This way Admiral." Commander Rashad announced, guiding the Admiral towards the senior officers' mess. "Admiral." She acknowledged as they left.

No one spoke for a moment, then one by one they congratulate Devore before leaving until just Lieutenant Commander Barker and the three Devore's were left.

"I take it you knew about this promotion ?" Devore asked. "And about Sierra and Brayden."

"I'm afraid so Admiral, I knew about Brayden's success with the academy exams about a week ago, as for the Commander she told me just before they both left. As for your promotion, the Admiral told me just before we left Earth and asked me to plan this surprise." Chu replied.

"Well it was certainly a surprise." Devore commented.

"If that is all Admiral, then I'll get back to the Bridge." Chu asked.

"Dismissed." Admiral Devore announced.

Which just left the Devores. Brayden quickly went back to the shuttle and picked up his things. "I'm going to take my stuff to my room, I'll see you two later." He announced, leaving the now deserted shuttlebay.
For a moment Sierra and Marcus just stared at each other, neither of them daring to speak.

Then Marcus broke the silence. "So you got a promotion." He remarked.

"And a new job to go with it. I've been offered the post of head counsellor at Starfleet Headquarters." Sierra replied. "I'd really like to take it, but I won't if you want me to stay with you."

"That's great." Marcus replied. "It's what you've wanted for so long, who am I to stand in your way."

"You won't miss me." Sierra asked, sounding disappointed that her husband was being so considerate.

"Of course I will, Sierra, every moment we're apart. But at least I'll know you're alive and safe this time." Marcus replied.

Sierra winced at that last remark, knowing all too well the pain she'd caused when Marcus had been informed that she was dead. And also all the pain and joy he'd felt when she'd decided to 'leave' Section 31 and return to Starfleet. It had taken Marcus a long time to get over that pain and now she was leaving him again.

"I'm sorry." Sierra said softly, placing her hand in his.

"I suppose we'd better get some breakfast too." Marcus announced. "I'm feeling hungry too. Someone woke me at five thirty this morning and I didn't have time to eat anything."

The two Devores' returned to their quarters, but not to eat breakfast.