Letters Home

Voyager has been in the Delta Quadrant for just over ten years now. They have been in contact with Starfleet via Pathfinder for four years, thanks to Reg Barclay. These are the letters members of the senior staff wrote to their families.

Usual disclaimers apply; I just can't be bothered writing one at the moment.

Dear Mom,

As Kathryn Janeway has said every different time we expected to come home, you may need to move the sofa.

Well, I know this is the first time we have spoken in three years, ever since the Pathfinder Project established contact with us, but a lot has happened since then.

You spoke to me when I was still an ensign. Yes, I know that means I have been promoted, and it's true. This is Lieutenant Harry Kim talking.

Almost the whole senior staff were promoted about two years ago, not long after the Captain and Commander were married, finally, and the majority of the crew were promoted too. I'm proud to say I was fourth on the list, after Tuvok, Tom and B'Elanna. Annika was on the list too.

Oh that's right; you don't know who Annika is. How sill of me to forget. Not!

Over six years ago, we had gotten into yet another fight with the Borg, but this time we had made a temporary alliance with them. We barely exited that alliance alive, but at least we had Seven.

The Borg we had 'stolen' was Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One. We called her Seven and helped her to regain her humanity.

Ever since the majority of her cybernetic implants were removed and I got to know her, I have loved her.

Yes, I know you are thinking 'But what about Libby? She's such a nice girl…' but how long has it been now, ten years, four months, give or take? If Libby hasn't moved on, she has some serious issues, because I have moved on.

Not long after we had destroyed the Borg, about three and a half years ago, Seven of Nine retook her human name, Annika Hansen, with the rank of Ensign. Six months later, I proposed to her.

As you can probably expect, she said yes. And she was fifth on the list for promotion.

I used to miss you so much; just after our journey began, I was the most optimistic person, other than the captain, who knew we would eventually come home. Now, I really don't care. Voyager has become my home and the crew my family.

I'm married very happily, have a beautiful son, James Harry Kim, who is already two years old and loved by everyone.

Mom, I know you probably find it hard to believe that maybe you'll never see your little Harry again while he's alive or young, but it's something that you have no control over. Yes, we'll still try and take every possible shortcut we can find to get home earlier, but not for our sakes anymore, we'll come home so our children can see Earth at least once before they die.

Just think, maybe one day when we reach home, I'll be standing there in front of you and Dad, Annika by my side, considerably older, with our children, and possibly grandchildren, surrounding us. It's a future I can see happening.

And I wouldn't be surprised if there becomes a 'Voyager family'… literally. If that future does happen, there will be so many generations of children born from the same group of people we will all literally become brothers and sisters.

At least then I'll have all the siblings I wanted as a child with me in my adult life.

I know you've missed out on most of my adulthood, with the Academy and Voyager and everything, but I could have never wished for anything else. This past decade we have spent together have been the best years of my life, and accepting this position is one action I will never regret. The whole crew have so many stories about each other that we will be able to embarrass our grandchildren one day.

Mom, whatever the outcome of our journey, just remember that I love you. You're the one woman who raised me, guided me, supported me through my musical childhood and Starfleet orientated adolescence. That is one thing I will never forget about you, your kindness and patience. Thank you, Mom, for everything you have ever done for me, whether directly or indirectly, in my life.

Loving you from wherever we are,

Your son,

Harry

Grace Kim wiped her eyes, put down the padd with Harry's letter, and let out a deep breath.

She knew her son had been happy, but to have his own family, she could hardly believe it. As much as she wanted to see him again, Grace knew her son knew what was best for him and his young family.

Sighing, she pulled herself off the sofa she had been told to move countless times.

"I just hope I'll meet your family before I die," she whispered, directing her gaze to the stars outside. "I love you too, Harry."