AN: Welcome to my new fanfiction, and my first foray into the Star Trek fandom. I've fallen in love with the rare gem known as the Chekov/Joanna pairing. I've decided to do my part and write a fanfic. So if you like Chekov/Joanna, or Chekov and any female, don't just sit there and lament at the limited selection- do something! Write a Chekov/OC or Chekov/Joanna fanfiction- whether it be a drabble, short story, novella, novel, or epic-length series! I promise I'll be there to support you all the way, if you want.
And there's the end of my rant. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. Never will be. Thanks for reminding me.
Stars In Her Eyes
Chapter One: And We'll Look at the Stars Together
"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."
-Edgar Allan Poe
The grass smelt sweet, and it tickled her back through her t-shirt. There was a soft wind blowing, and she could barely hear any traffic. When she closed her eyes, she could imagine she was in the past, when crickets chirps would fill the air and the stars would burn brightly against the black backdrop of the night sky, like she read about in her books.
Her real books- books in hard binding with real, paper pages and black ink. Not the ebooks that everyone read now. Her mother called them trash, but she didn't care much. There was something special about reading an actual book, about turning the page, the feel of the paper under her fingers. Old, yellowed pages that had been seen and read by many eyes, held by many hands, stained with tears and raindrops, left torn and dog-eared. And loved.
But those books were kind of like the stars.
You didn't see them anymore.
She knew the stars were there, somewhere past the smog, beyond the city lights. And somewhere in those stars was her father.
Most nights when she couldn't sleep she'd end up out here, in her mother's tiny backyard, staring up at the night sky. Sometimes she'd speak to the heavens quietly, imagining her father could hear her. She knew it was silly- her father was on the USS Enterprise, probably busy giving people hypos and being grumpy. But it was a comforting thought.
"I miss you, daddy."
A slight smile worked its way onto her face.
"I'm sure momma didn't tell you, but I wanna join Starfleet. I already sent in my application. Maybe in a couple years I'll be able to join you up there, daddy."
She sighed longingly.
"Are the stars pretty out there? I've seen pictures, but it's not the same."
There was a pause as she thought of what to say.
"I graduated last week, daddy. Joanna McCoy is now a high school graduate. I got a diploma and everythin'. Isn't that somethin'? I can't even believe it's over."
Her smile faded.
"Momma didn't come to my graduation. She had a date with Joe. Or maybe it was Steve? I can't remember any more- there are so many of 'em. Even though momma and me aren't real close, I would have liked her to be there."
She sniffled a bit.
"There was no one to clap for me, daddy. I walked across that stage and got my diploma and my hand shake, but there was no one there to clap. I mean, some people did –pity, I guess- but it wasn't the same. I know it's not your fault. I'm know you'd be there if you could. I'm sure you're proud of me, wherever you are."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"I hope I get into Starfleet, daddy. Then I won't be lonely anymore. And we can look at the stars together."
Eighteen Months Later
"Well, class. I must say this is a fabulous opportunity," Professor Shimerda examined the her PADD, quickly reading over the announcement before presenting it to her class. "A chance to join the crew of the prestigious USS Enterprise for a year long mission."
The broke out in excited whispers.
"Class material would be covered through the PADD network, and maintaining a passing grade in all subj is a requirement."
Joanna barely heard what the woman was saying. Daddy, she thought, daddy, this is it! She felt happier than she had in a long time.
"However, there are only three spots available. Applications will be available at the end of class. They will be due next Monday. The lucky three will be declared on Friday, and beam aboard the Enterprise the following Monday. Now, back to carbon-based life forms… "
Joanna's heart sunk to the bottom on her stomach. There was no way she'd be able to get one of those three spots. She had an overwhelming urge to cry. Don't be silly, she thought, anyway, maybe I can get one of those spots. God knows how much I want it…
"I'm going to miss you, Joanna."
"I'll miss you too, Alice."
Joanna couldn't believe she had gotten it. When she got the letter, she broke down crying. Not tears of grief, but tears of joy, of relief. I got it, daddy, she thought, this time next week I'll be with you on the Enterprise.
She'd miss her roommate, Alice, but they'd keep in touch. Her duffel bag swung over one shoulder, she pulled Alice into a one-armed hug.
"I'll be back soon, Alice."
Alice smirked.
"You'd better be."
Joanna looked over the room that had been her home for a year and a half for one last time. She had one foot out the door when Alice called her back.
"Wait! Wait! I've got something for you!"
Joanna stopped and turned around. Alice was going through one of her drawers, clothes flying everywhere as she dug through it. "I'm sure I put it here! Just hang on for a sec."
Joanna smiled at her friend's stereotypical display of disorganization. Some things never change.
"Aha! Here you go!" Alice presented her gift with a flourish. It was a photo of the two of them in a plain metal frame. Joanna ran her fingers over the smooth glass covering the picture.
"I know how much you like old stuff, so I figured you'd like this better than a digital picture."
Joanna opened her duffel and placed the photo on top.
"Thanks, Alice."
"No prob. Don't forget to tell me about any hot ensigns!"
Joanna rolled her eyes.
"Alice!"
"What? Just because you plan on being an old spinster doesn't mean I do," Alice looked up at Joanna with the head-cocked-to-the-left-half-smirk-look-of-doom. Oh no. "Anyway, maybe you'll meet someone up there who'll change your mind." She topped it off with a wink.
Joanna spluttered, unable to come up with a response. Alice shook her head as if to say oh how I pity you. "Jo, instead of standing there looking like a fish, you should probably get going."
Joanna closed her mouth and looked at her watch, eyes widening. "Shit!". She took off running.
Alice sighed, noticing Joanna's duffel lying by the doorway. "Oh, Joanna…". She picked it up, just in time to see Joanna turn and run right back to her.
"You left this."
Joanna grabbed her duffel gratefully.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now go!" Alice shoved Joanna out the door good-naturedly. Joanna turned around to get one last look before breaking into a jog. Alice leaned against the doorway, watching Joanna leave. "Go get 'em, girl."