Seven years have passed since Voyager returned to Earth. Now it is time for the six friends to start at Starfleet Academy. It's their time to shine.
On a full moon night, a short haired teen is packing a bag. Her different colored eyes looking over each piece of clothing.
"Oh why did I sign up for the Red Unit, Naomi? Why didn't you stop me?" the red head messily packs her suitcase.
"Because you're over active and too fitted to it Kaya." Naomi, ginger hair in a clumsy bun, eyes her friend during their holo call.
"I could get used to Blue Unit. Follow in mom's footsteps. Or Yellow Unit like dad." Kaya sits on her bed looking over at her friend's holographic image.
"You'd go mad and you know it." Naomi laughs.
"Kaya, mommy says time for bed." Sean, eleven years old, stands in the doorway.
"Gotta go Nao." Kaya sighs signing off.
"See ya in a week roomie." Naomi winks sighing off.
"Do you have to go?" Sean's ears droop.
"I'm sorry pup, but we can talk almost every day and I'll be back for holidays." Kaya picks up her little brother.
"Promise?" Sean looks at her pleadingly.
"Promise." Kaya taps his nose making him laugh.
A week quickly passes and it's time to head for the academy on the other side of San Francisco. Arriving her two months along mom is ready to cry her eyes out.
"My baby girl is all grown up." Bria sniffles as they get to her quarters.
"Mom, don't start now." Kaya wipes her misty eyes.
"I can't help it. My baby isn't a baby and won't be home for months." Bria starts again Cody rubbing her back to calm her down.
"She'll be back for the summer and holidays." Cody tries to assure her, his hand on her belly.
"It won't be the same." Bria whimpers.
"Oh mom, I'll be home before you know it. I promise." Kaya hugs her, barely able to get around her belly.
"You b-better." Bria hics nuzzling her daughter.
Kaya doing the same. She takes in the scent of her family before saying goodbye for such a long time.
Meanwhile in the guys' dorm in the west wing, a little girl's cries can be heard down the halls.
"Daddy stay! Daddy stay!" Kelly cries as she clings to his leg.
"I'll be back tomorrow night sweetie. I promise." Harry pets her head.
"No! Daddy come home now!" Kelly's ears are drooped as she hugs his leg as tight as she can.
"Come on sweetie, daddy has to stay tonight." Myra, one month along, tries to convince the whaling nine year old to let go.
"No." Kelly shakes her head.
"Hey Kelly want a jelly?" Luke takes a jellybean out of a bag bending down to her level.
Kelly, hesitant, lets go of her dad to sit with the colorful treat. She was still sniffling at the idea of her dad being gone but calming down.
"D-daddy come home." Kelly hics as she snacks.
"He will, but we need him tonight and might need him others as well." Luke hands her another colorful bean.
"Why?" Kelly looks at the young man with big eyes.
"Because we're all away from home and need a daddy to talk to from time to time. All the teachers are taking turns and your daddy volunteered tonight knowing it'll be the hardest for us. So can't you share? Just a bit?" Luke smiles at the little one.
Kelly looks at him then her dad and nods. Luke petting her head softly.
"I promise to be back. And while I'm gone you can look after mommy. Okay?" Harry snuggles his little girl.
"Kay." Kelly nods clinging to him.
Harry pecks her forehead as Myra snuggles both of them. Their twin boys kicking a bit at the moment, maybe wanting to join them.
At the same time Saka hugs his little brother, James. He spins the seven year old around the room then takes his three year old sister, Moana, getting her turn. The little thing giggling at flying around.
"This is a big step. You ready?" Chakotay places a hand on his eldest shoulder.
"I am. Don't worry; I'll make you both proud." Saka nods with a soft smile.
"Just stay safe and try your best." Kathryn pecks his cheek.
Leaving their teens, the parents meet up for dinner before for parting ways in the morning. The little kids enjoying being together and playing with one another.
At school Kaya and her roommates; Leia and Naomi get ready for bed then take out there soda and snacks for a small party.
"Here's to making it this far." Naomi snacks on some chips.
"And to kicking guys but in class starting tomorrow." Leia sips some root bear with a wink.
"We're not going to sleep tonight." Kaya laughs chumping on a cookie as her tail wags.
"So worth it." The other two laugh.
"Think the guys are doing something similar?" Leia ponders.
"Who knows?" Naomi shrugs going for a handful of chocolate balls.
At the same time the guys are in their room. A bunch of snacks laid out and comics all over the place.
"So you two are going to declare war now, huh?" Dux sighs chomping on a chip looking over a comic.
"War?" The two lift a brow, sitting near each other on the bed.
"The truss ends starting tomorrow right?" Dux flips a page. 'Not that there really was one.' He recalls some of their matches over the years.
Truth is these two he calls friends have been competing on and off for Kaya's attention for years. Or just trying to see who is better in their shared talents.
"Well yeah." Luke sips some lemon soda.
"But we're not going to fight like pups." Saka chumps on a cookie.
"Oh? So you're not going to compete for her? Or some silly skill one of you thinks you're better at than the other?" Dux acts as if this is normal.
The two fall silent at that. They were still competitive and enjoyed each other as rivals along with friend. It's an odd mix but they've gotten used to it. Even liking each other's company, something they didn't expect.
