Ensign Omega had just left the transport that brought him back to Earth to visit his grandparents. He was planning to spend at least a week, maybe two of leave before returning to Starbase 375. Tony looked around and saw the spaceport was really crowded. In the crowd he looked like everyone else, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and unless anyone asked or recognised him, no-one would have know that he was a Starfleet officer.

He stopped at an information desk and asked the officer how he could get to San Francisco. Apart from the time he'd spent at Starfleet academy, Earth was not a planet that he had explored much. He'd spent time during his academy years in various cities, but San Francisco had always been home.

"Excuse me, Sir can you tell me where to catch the next shuttle to San Francisco ?.

"Are you with Starfleet ?" The officer asked, looking at Tony's attire.

"Yes, I with Starfleet." Tony replied. "Although at the moment I'm on vacation, visiting my grandparents."

The officer looked at Tony once more and smiled before pointing to the direction of the shuttlebus. Tony thanked the officer and hurried over to the bus. Tony couldn't stop thinking about how long it has been since he had been home. So much had changed on the 'home front' since his last visit. This visit had also caused him to think about his parents, something he hasn't really done in a few years.

As Tony was daydreaming, the shuttlebus arrived. So he had to clear his mind to board the shuttlebus. After boarding the bus, Tony continued his daydream. After getting a letter from his grandmother, informing him about his grandfather being in bad health, Tony had decided to visit as soon as he could. He also thought that the letter might have been the reason he was thinking about his parents again.

After a long trip for Starbase 375, Tony couldn't seem to keep his eyes open. So off to sleep he went. When he woke up once more, he was the only person still aboard. He quickly picked up his things and headed down the streets of San Francisco towards his grandparent's house.

September 26, 2384

But that was all week ago now and Tony woke up from his daydreaming once more and realised that he had actually fallen asleep. His trip to visit his grandparents had lasted nearly six weeks, instead of the couple he had planned. The reason was that he'd been given a transfer to the USS Leviathan, but was not due to meet the ship until the end of September. He'd enjoyed the extra time he'd been allowed to see his grandparents and his grandfather had visibly improved during his stay.

He'd received his new orders just before he was due to return to Starbase 375 and had been both overjoyed and saddened. He had left a lot of good friends behind, who he wouldn't be able to say goodbye to in person.

[Ensign, where approaching DS9.] A voice announced over the intercom.

Tony recognised the voice of the Captain of the transport vessel he had managed to get passage on. He had spent the previous week aboard, the trip not a direct one to DS9. So far the vessel had made three stops to drop off supplies and pick up other passengers. The vessel did this trip regularly and the Captain said that there were usually around a dozen passengers travelling to DS9.

Tony decided to stretch his legs and wake up before they arrived. He went to the mess for something to eat and then headed to the quarters he had been assigned for the trip and after showering, put on his Starfleet uniform.