{April 2265}

"Be careful," Cynthia says for the tenth time that day, fussing around with Chekov's collar and suit. Chekov resists the temptation to roll his eyes at the lounging Sulu. Sulu, unfortunately, has no such decency or self-control, and merely chuckles at the sight of Chekov being fussed over.

"Call often," Cynthia reminds Chekov.

"As much as I can," Chekov says – and means it, because if there's a person he owes his life to, it's Cynthia as much as it is Sulu or Scotty. He's just glad that there's someone he can call home to.

"Good. I want to hear all about your adventures."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Cynthia snorts. "Me? In space? I don't think I could handle it. Too many dangers out there." Her eyes soften. "There's enough to handle here on Earth as it is. I need to save people here."

They both know who she's referring to. Chekov clears his throat. "Send my regards to David," he says. "It must get lonely in Idaho."

Cynthia smiles a little sadly. "Things happen. People get broken."

Chekov pulls her into a hug. "They don't always stay that way," he promises into her curly hair.

"I know," she says, her voice muffled against his shirt. She sniffles when she pulls away. "Aw, damn, Pavel, look. I got your shirt wet."

"It'll dry," Chekov says, smiling. "Come on, Cynthia. No crying. The Psychiatric Medical Board won't like it."

This makes Cynthia laugh as she dabs the tears away. "They already hate me, so I don't really care."

Sulu, ever the diplomatic one, steps up to the two of them. "We're supposed to be on board in five minutes," he reminds Chekov.

Chekov nods distractedly. "I have to go," he says gently, giving Cynthia one last hug. "Thank you for everything. For believing in me."

"I didn't do anything," she reminds him. "It was all you."

Chekov thinks back to everything that's happened this last year. He reflects on his ghosts, his best friend, and his new family. "Not all me," he says with a smile. "I had a little bit of help."

"External inertial dampener?"

"Engaged, sir." Sulu shoots Chekov a grin out of the side of his mouth, and Chekov has to smother a snicker when he remembers the first mistake Sulu ever made. "Ready for warp."

"Excellent."

The intercom buzzes and Scotty's brogue comes over the line. "She's good to go, sir. Ready on your mark."

"Excellent. Say, Mr. Scott, you performed that check awfully fast – I thought you were still talking with your wife."

"I work fast, sir." Scotty doesn't mention that Sulu and Chekov had to distract Cynthia before he could slip away.

"Well, good. Ensign Chekov, where are we going today?"

Chekov seems to remember Kirk saying once, Second star to the right and straight on till morning. He smiles, but all he says is, "As you have previously requested, sir, I have entered coordinates for the Nelal Way."

"Excellent. Take us out, Mr. Sulu."

"Very good, sir." Sulu and Chekov share a grin before Sulu hits warp, a practiced motion.

Yeah, Chekov thinks. This is where I belong.

This is home.