A/N: Thank you Deana, Aingealsuh, and ComtesseAlanna for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. :)

"To the Stars"

2375

Rios stood in the terminal of the Fleet Yards, his uniform fresh and crisp, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window panels. The ibn Majid was finally ready for its maiden voyage and the crew had been summoned to assemble for departure.

Rios was ready—he'd been living on the ship for the past several weeks already—and now that it was time to launch into the stars, he was buzzing with excitement.

"Rios!"

He turned and broke into a grin as he spotted Raffi jogging toward him. He'd hoped he wouldn't miss getting to say goodbye to her. It'd been like old times hanging out after their duty shifts, sharing laughs, Rios hijacking her kitchen. He was going to miss it now that they would be parting ways again.

She was huffing by the time she reached him. "I thought I wouldn't make it in time."

"You are cutting it a little close," he warned. She wasn't really, though, as he still had forty minutes before he had to be aboard.

Raffi looked past him to admire the ship. "She's a beauty."

"Yep."

"She does fully work now, right?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes." No more glitches in the system, everything top of the line and pristine.

Raffi smirked. "I got you a bon voyage gift." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a data chip. "Specs for over a hundred printed books so you can have the replicator make you a physical copy instead of being forced to download them onto your PADD."

Rios blinked, genuinely taken aback. "Over a hundred?" he repeated, accepting the chip.

Raffi grinned delightedly. "That's right."

"Raf…you are amazing."

She canted her head to the side. "I know."

He pocketed the chip, then pulled her into a hug.

She squeezed back. "There's a lot of space out there; don't get lost."

He smiled as they pulled apart. "Take care of yourself, chica."

With nothing left to say, Rios gave her one last nod and turned to head for the boarding line.

There was a lot of space out there, and he couldn't wait to see it.