=-/\-= Bridge to Admiral Vincent.  Secure subspace transmission coming in from the USS McNair.=-/\-=<br/><br/>The admiral who had just stepped out of the turbo lift smiled softly.  A smile that his lover of 20 years would know all to well.  A smile that spoke of the depth of the love that he felt for his chosen partner.<br/><br/>=-/\-= Bridge this is Admiral Vincent, I'll take it in my quarters.=-/\-=<br/><br/>Dallas settled down behind his desk waiting for his parrot Shelbie (http://www.hqimage.com/Parrots/DtWallpaper/Img/Parrot_118.jpg) to finish squawking his lovers first name over and over again.  It was a habit that Shelbie had picked up after the last time Airik had left and as yet had not come back.  Thankfully it never lasted more than a couple minutes but it had really began to get on Dallas's nerves the last couple days.  Not exactly all the birds fault though.  Most of the stress and aggravation was coming from the Admiral's current assignment.<br/><br/>Finally the parrot had quieted down enough for Dallas to tell the computer to play back the message.  The Admiral closed his eyes and let a perfect peace and calmness settle over him as he heard the one voice he longed to hear above all others.  The smile once again returning to his face one that spread wide from ear to ear as he drank in every spoken word.<br/><br/>Dallas sat quietly as he thought of Airik's message for a couple of minutes before saying, "Computer, initialize encrypted subspace transmission to Captain Airik Mitchell of the USS McNair.<br/><br/>=-/\-= Secure subspace transmission =-/\-=<br/><br/>"Captain Mitchell this is Admiral Vincent.  I was very pleased to receive your message.  I am also pleased to hear that Admiral Janeway has seen fit to send you out my way.  Yes I too have been assigned to a post precariously close to the Romulan Neutral Zone.  Romulas to be exact.  I have been made the new Federation envoy to the Romulan Empire.  Why they picked me of all people I shall never fully understand... there are after all far more qualified individuals for the job."<br/><br/>There was a pause as Dallas thought back on the message that was sent to him.<br/><br/>"I doubt very seriously that it is I your pesty furry beast misses... especially when I take into consideration that I have not had to replace any ruined slippers recently.  I but I would however gladly deal with missing and or chewed up slippers if it meant I could have you at my side."<br/><br/>Another pause as Dallas looked over to the corner of the room where a pair of his old chewed up slippers still sat from the last time he and Airik had spent time together.<br/><br/>"Shelbie sends her love... as do I.  Take care of yourself out there Airik.  Hopefully we shall be able to find time to meet up now that we shall be closer neighbors.  Computer end and send transmission."<br/><br/>The Admiral leaned forward and pored himself a glass of Romulan Ale.  It had been a gift from the Romulan delegation that he had met with only that morning.