Coming Home: Winters Family Reunion
Posted on Sun May 24th, 2026 @ 4:16pm by Sara Winters & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Civilian Brunel Winters
Edited on on Sun May 24th, 2026 @ 4:16pm
1,803 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Barisa Prime Starbase
Timeline: MD 08: 1100 Hours (Backpost)
Once the entrance to the corridor for Docking Gate 3 was visible, Alexandra quickly pointed it out and raced ahead Brunel as quickly as she thought she could get away with without being stopped by security. Their dad had been gone for a full week and they only found out yesterday that he was finally coming home.
Alexandra barely slept all night after Dad called to tell them the news.
Alex had felt this tightness in her throat the entire time he was gone. He'd left unexpectedly, and there was something different this time. Mom seemed worried, but she wasn't talking much and kept saying everything was fine. It didn't feel fine though.
The knot still stuck in her throat today, like it made it difficult to swallow, but as the hour grew closer she also felt this fluttering in her chest. She was anxious to see her dad and hoping everything would be okay.
When they reached the gate, Brunei tuned to his sister and signed, "I hope fathervis uninjured. He didn't say much in his message." He paused as he considered something, then asked, "What did you think about his message?"
Alexandra hadn't really thought that he might be injured. She'd been worried that he might be in trouble with Starfleet or that might have to move again. Now a new concern raced through her mind and she started to feel a little like she might be sick to her stomach.
"Um, I don't know," she replied, her voice sounded weaker than usual. "Sometimes we move a lot. When he doesn't say much, I worry it's that." Alex turned to look to see how far away their mom was.
Sara wasn't far away, though she'd hung back, not quite running like the anxious kids, but still keeping a brisk pace and both teenagers in sight. She was nervous too - always worried that there was something Nash was holding back that he couldn't say it over subspace. She wouldn't fully relax until they'd had some privacy and she could fully hear what had exactly transpired.
Brunel looked through the viewport, located to the left of the gate, the expression on his face was a mix of worry and excitement. Alex looked down the corridor, watching for people coming through the gangway. Sara slipped behind them quietly, resisting the urge to put her arms around them like she did when Alex was little. Brunel didn't mind the public affection, but Alex was starting to squirm away from it as she got older. Instead she just smiled to herself and enjoyed seeing how excited they were that their father was coming home.
*** Transport Vessel ***
Her smile and bright eyes. The tinny, mechanical sound of his speech interpreter. Commander Winters thought of his children as he fidgeted in his seat. Most of all, Nash couldn’t push Sara’s face out of his head. Her dimples, the smooth curves of her face, even the sound of her laugh were rattling around in his head. He missed his family like crazy.
He was looking forward to getting back to his home on Astrea. He was certain a warm welcome was on his future, at least from his family. He wasn’t so sure about his colleagues and crew mates. Nash would learn that it was necessary to send him away, at least temporarily, until the matter was resolved. He was glad that Captain Johansen was in his corner and supported him throughout the entire process.
The ship shifted just slightly, the inertial dampeners catching the brunt of the force when the transport vessel docked with the base. The sound of the airlock catching and connected, the sound and feel of the changing pressure signalling that they could officially disembark.
Nash anxiously rose from his seat and gathered his belongings when the signal was given for passenger debarkation. He had a duffel that he carried over a shoulder and another slightly larger bag that he carried in his other hand. Nash was excited and nervous at the same time, and could barely conceal the beginnings of a smile, knowing who would be waiting for him.
Sara was watching the viewport with Brunel when the transport vessel approached and docked. She put a gentle hand between Brunel's shoulders. "That should be him," she said excitedly, pointing to the ship.
Alex heard her mom's comment, disinterested in transport vessels Alex moved closer to the corridor's opening, half her body hugging the bulkhead, the other half craning her neck as far in as she could without someone pulling her back. She'd learned when she was younger that if you tried to wander - or run - into one too soon, you'd just be ordered out and have to wait even further back.
Brunel, having had a recent growth spurt, was now a couple inches taller than his sister, and was able to see down the gangway easier. When he saw her try to use the bulkhead as leverage to see more, he gently braced her back with his hands. Though they had welcomed him into their family with open arms, Brunel knew that Alexandra had the right to see their father first.
Nash exited the transport and moved along through the airlock with the other passengers. He sat mid-ships, not too close to the front and not too close to the back. This made is relatively easy to make his way off the ship and onto the station.
As he cleared the airlock and walked to the end of the gangway, Nash caught a glimpse of Alexandra and Brunel. His walk turned into a jog and he dropped his luggage to greet his daughter.
In moments like these Alex could forget that she was a teenager and getting to old for these things. She let go of inhibitions entirely and jumped into her father's arms, all 158 centimeters and 46 kilograms of her.
Nash was practically bowled over by his daughter as she collapsed into his arms. He grunted laughingly. “Alex! Oh my Alexandra! I missed you so much!” He squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head.
Alexandra let out a relaxed sigh, her body letting go of tension that she didn't realize she was holding.
Brunel followed Alexandra towards Nash and, as she clung to him, Brunel signed his greeting. "Welcome home, father. We missed you." he gave Nash a bright smile, then picked up his discarded bags and stood next to his father and sister, as Sara joined the reunion.
“Father? You used to call me Papa. I missed you, too, bubba. Let me look at you. I’ve only been gone a week and it looks like you’ve grown half a meter.”
Nash pulled him in alongside Alex. “You don’t know how good it is to see you. Now, where’s your mom?”
"Right here, Babe," Sara replied stepping in a little closer. "Everything good?" She watched his face carefully for any sign that there was news she might not want to hear later.
Nash responded by pulling Sara close and gazing deeply into her eyes. “Yes, everything is very good.” He kissed her softly and embraced her tightly. “I love you….we can talk about what happened later. I promise I’ll tell you all about it. I just want to get back to Astrea with our family. It’s really good to be home.”
Brunel embraced both of his parents tightly. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed Nash until that very moment.
"Okay, kids, lets get away from the docking corridor," Sara said as she began shuffling her family along. "Brunel, why don't you help you father with one of these bags. I think the Captain is going to want to see him, but maybe we can have time for a quick lunch first."
Alexandra let out a low whine. "Seriously? She looked up at her dad. You just got back," she reminded him in protest."
“I have to report in, that’s all. Captain Johansen didn’t know when I would be returning and I wasn’t sure. It won’t be long, my love,” Nash said as he brushed his hand against Alexandra’s cheek. “Who’s hungry? I’m starved. There was absolutely nothing appealing that was available on the transport.”
Brunel hurried to grab the largest bag that his father had been carrying, struggling slightly with its weight, but succeeding in keep it lifted and in his grip. With his free hand, he attempted to reply, but his words came out choppy, as he could only sign with one hand. "Hungry...enjoy!"
“Couldn’t have said it better, buddy. Let’s see what we can find. Ever have Klingon cuisine, Brunel? Probably not , considering where you came from. Alexandra loves it. Don’t you, Alex?” Nash joked.
Brunel shook his head in reply. Still with his one free hand, he replied as best as he could. "Klingon food...good?"
Alex made a face. "Only the kind that doesn't move. Krada legs aren't bad. But..." she shook her head. "Not much else," she said making a gagging noise.
“Yeah…Klingon food is an acquired taste. Some of it can take some getting used to. I’m partial to pipius claw…reminds me of crab legs with a sour aftertaste. But it can be very good, depending on how it’s prepared. Gagh, on the other hand, is not my favorite. I’ve tried about a half dozen different kinds, and some of it is just….gross.”
Nash suddenly put a hand on his chest and swallowed deeply. He looked very uncomfortable. “You know what….all this talk about the Klingon stuff is making me….not interested anymore. I see a Bajoran restaurant over there. Much safer and better choices. Let’s go there, ok?”
Brunel grinned, then signed, "Papa scared!"He then giggled, though it just sounded like are hissing past his teeth.
Alexandra laughed. "Ha!" She said mocking her dad. "You tried to gross me out, but you just grossed yourself out."
Sara gave Nash a silent look, but she didn't have to say it outloud, the message was clear, She got you there.
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
Alexandra & Sara Winters Winters
Family
USS Astrea
(NPCs of Remy Johansen)
Brunel Winters
Family
USS Astrea
(NPC of Maxun Spello)
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