A/N: I'm back! Sorry for the cliffhanger. Ok, I'm not.
"Princess?!"
Stella reeled back like she'd been struck, then just as quickly reversed direction, plowing into the arms of the boy standing there. His green eyes widened in surprise.
"Darkoak! I'm so glad you're safe!" Suddenly, she pulled back and grabbed his upper ear, pulling painfully. "What have I told you! You don't call me that."
"Ow, ow, ow! I'm sorry!"
Stella let go and embraced him again, then crouched and counted the kits. In all there were thirteen of them, with coloring ranging from extremly pale to dark hair and skin. One child launched herself at Stella, wrapping her arms around the teen's neck.
"Starfrost! I knew you'd find us!"
The girl patted the kit's silver hair affectionately. "Glad you didn't give up on me, Shadowkit."
Stella stood with the child still in her arms. The rest of the little ones quickly swarmed her, clinging to her legs, before converging on the crew of the Enterprise. Laughing, Stella watched as each kit picked a person and latched on.
A kit with shaggy blonde hair and clear blue eyes, as well as a kit with brown hair and green eyes each took one of Dr. McCoy's hands. One child, who had pale blonde hair and almost purple eyes approached Chekov. He spoke to it in calming Russian, and after a moment a kit with longer brown hair and amber eyes joined him.
Kirk was beset by a kit with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, quickly followed by one with black hair and serious brown eyes. A pair of identical kits with matching curls clung to Spock, who stared at the little things in puzzlement. Darkoak had scooped up two: the extremely pale kit and a kit with straw-colored hair and green eyes.
Shifting Shadowkit to one arm, Stella picked up one of the two remaining kits. This one looked soft, with light brown hair and light purple eyes. One kit, a strict-looking little thing, refused to be carried, instead walking alongside Spock.
The group quickly retraced their steps, returning to the prearranged exit place. When they got there though, they encountered a problem; a dozen smugglers had escaped and were holed up at their extraction place.
When the smugglers saw them, they immediately pulled out weapons. One, who seemed to have some level of authority, yelled at the crew of the Enterprise.
"Put down the cargo and surrender, or we'll shoot!"
Everyone looked to Kirk, then to Stella, who muttered. "Do it."
Those carrying kits lowered them to the ground. Stella set down Shadow and the quiet kit, then kneeled down herself. She stared at the little group, ears swiveling like crazy. At a collective twitch from the kits, Stella turned and rose into a crouch. The kits formed two lines behind her, and at a signal from Stella, launched themselves at the smugglers.
The battle, if you could call it that, was over before anyone could register the fact that it had started. Within a minute, all twelve bad guys were out cold on the floor. The kits crowded around Stella, who checked them over for wounds.
"Good work, guys!" She patted them in between their ears. "I see Darkoak kept up your training."
She smiled at the dark-haired boy as she said it. He blushed a little and laughed. "It was nothing, Starfrost. Just doing my job."
The crew of the Enterprise was still standing in shock. They stared at the cute little kits, wondering at their abilities. The kits didn't seem fazed at all, and returned to their former caretakers. Kirk was the first to shake off his awe. He pulled out his comm and radioed up to the ship.
"Captian!" The voice of his CEO came through the comm. "Did ya get all the wee ones?"
Kirk laughed. "Yep. Beam us up, Scotty."
Light enveloped the group, kits clinging to their guardians. A second later, they materialized in the Enterprise, where nurses were waiting to take care of the little ones. However, some of the kits flat out refused to be separated from their chosen crew members.
So the Medbay was filled with squirming children and uncomfortable Starfleet officers. After McCoy gave each kit a once-over, they received a nutrient drip and a mild sedative. Once all 13 were out,the command crew returned to the bridge.
Darkoak, who after grabbing a protein bar declared himself fine. He accompanied Stella up to the bridge, keeping one hand around her waist.
Chekov glared at him the whole time.
A/N: Ahhhh, tension! There are about 12 references in this chapter and one shout out. See if you can get them, and review what you think.