JIM

"You miss the stars don't you mom?" Time had seemed to fly by for Jim. As weeks turned to months he started getting back to his old self. He threw himself into school with a passion now that he was actually learning. He continued talking to Amanda every week and really grew to like her. He still wouldn't talk about anything in depth but she understood and didn't push. He was happy but the last few days he noticed his mom was not. She chuckled.

"Stars, planets, the blackness of space." She paused a moment. "Yeah I miss it. I've been thinking. What if we moved in with my sister and her wife? They've been living on the colony on Tarsus IV for a while now I've heard it's really nice there."

In the most logical part of Jim's brain he knew that regardless of if they did or not she was heading back into space soon. It could be a week or a month or even a couple months, but nothing not even him could keep her out of space for long. Honestly he was surprised. It's been almost four months. Which is definitely the longest he could ever remember her being home for before. But while a very small part of his thoughts were focused on that, most were filled with excitement. He had never been off planet before and he'd always been drawn to the stars.

"When can we leave?" He said with a grin. He had no concerns about going he loved his Aunts and his mom being gone...well that was just how his life was. Her face lit up as if expecting him to refuse or something.

"I'll comm her and find out when it's convenient for them. We should probably give your teachers and Amanda a couple weeks notice anyways."

"My teachers won't care I can do everything online anyways. Is Amanda coming with us?" She nodded with a the first real smile in days. "Good."

WINONA

After she was alone in her room she fell into her bed with a long sigh. There had been alot in their conversation she hadn't expected. Jim to call her out on missing being out in space was the biggest one. She had tried to be happy here she had even been considering a permanent desk job so that she could continue being here for him, but as soon as she started entertaining that possibility she became overcome with depression and longing. She was meant to be up there among the stars. She would stay for the rest of her leave of course, and she would get Jim settled on Tarsus with her sister, but after that she was going back. Selfish. Not fit to be a mother….No Jim was excited when we talked he will be happy there. Even if I'm not there. \

She shook off the self destructive thoughts that had been haunting her everytime she did anything that wasn't completely for Jim's benefit since everything came out and started to get ready to meet up with Chris. He had been acting weird the last few months and she wanted to know why. Plus she needed to tell him her plans to move Jim to her sisters, and after that she had her appointment with Amanda.

The pizza place that they planned to meet at for lunch was small but nice. She quickly found a booth to sit in while she waited for Chris, but it wasn't a long wait. Right as she sat down he walked in the door. They exchanged hellos and ordered. Chris looked relaxed and happy to see her at first, but she was tense and suspicious. It was obvious that he realized it because after a minute he straightened up and looked more serious.

"Did something happen? Is everything okay?" He asked now worried.

"No. I just…" She paused not knowing how to put her suspicious out there, "I need to ask you about some things."

"Ask away."

"Why? I talked to the school and starfleet. Jim didn't get a scholarship. It was too late in the year for it. And starfleet didn't even pay for the apartment much less Amanda!" Her voice was rising word by word. "What are you doing paying for all of that Chris? And even more why did you lie to me about it?" He sighed as she stared at him.

"I just wanted to help you and Jim. I knew if you found out you wouldn't accept it."

"Of course I wouldn't accept it you have spent tens of thousands of credits on me and my son! How would I ever be able to pay that back? Is this some kind of guilt thing? Because you were supposed to be on the Kelvin and George wasn't? Because if that's what it is we've talked about this it is not and never will be your fault."

"No no no no it's got nothing to do with George. Well I guess maybe a little, but mostly no." He ran his hand through his hair nervously. "I had the ability to help, and so I did what I could."

"No there's more to it than that. Don't bullshit me Chris." He chuckled a bit.

"That's the same thing Jim said." He sighed again. "This isn't how I wanted you to tell you, but Nona I'm in love with you. I have been for years. Before we met George even." She dropped her cup in surprise spilling ice water all over the table. WHAT?

"What? Wait Jim knows? You told my son you love me before you told me?" She laughed. "Who does that? Why didn't you tell me years ago?"

"I always thought it was too soon after George, and then you were with Frank and I didn't want to ruin our friendship by pointing out how shitty he was to you and Jim."

"You're an idiot. You do know that right?" He chuckled.

"Yeah I know."

"So what did Jim have to say about it?"

"He said he was okay with it, and that he thought you might like me too, and that he just wants you to be happy."

"Of course he did. He's a good kid, too smart for his own good though."

"Wait are you saying?"

"Yes I'm saying he's right. I've had feelings for you for a long time, but going after your dead husband's best friend? Bit of a weird situation."

Chris's smile lit up the room.

"Wait as much as I hate to distract from this line of conversation you said you had something to tell me? That's why we were meeting up in the first place."

"Oh yeah I'm taking Jim to the colony on Tarsus IV to live with my sister. He's excited to be off planet, and after everything is settled I'm going back into space. I can't stay here on a planet. I need the stars Chris."

"I've already requested you to be on my ship when we leave in a few months."

"Of course you did." She laughed. "Oh shit I have to go meet Amanda I'm going to be late." She kissed him on the cheek as she left.