Note: Just real fast before we get started, a few things to mention. First, I am dyslexic, so please forgive me if I've missed any minor errors. I do my best, and my friends help out, but sometimes I'm just that talented at making mistakes. Don't be afraid to point them out, I'll never be offended! Second, I'm cross posting this from AO3. I'll probably update frequently until we catch up, and then I'll be posting once a week. Thanks so much for coming along on this adventure!

Friday 20:20

"Hall." At the front of the room a slightly pudgy man read off names. Held aloft was a thin white envelope. A tall lanky boy leaped to his feet and wove through the teaming mass of anxious young men to fetch his letter. The lieutenant gave him a sour look. "Every single letter in this mess smells like your girlfriend's perfume. Tell her not to drench your letters again or I'm burning them."

"Yes sir." The teen grabbed his letter and rushed back to his seat so he could open it and start reading.

"Hamzak, A." The blue skinned boy scuttled forward eagerly. He cradled the shell he was given in one of his claws with tender care. He traded places with his brother as "Hamzak, Q." was called next. For once the boys were not bickering. Everyone was on their best behavior when the post came.

"Hawkins." Jim couldn't hide his grin as he spotted the package the lieutenant held up for him. He broke away from his spot by the wall. "Don't worry, guys, I'll let you each have one." He had no doubt about who that package was from. Judging by the pleading eyes that followed him across the room, so too did everyone else.

Lieutenant Gray handed Jim the box with a large smile. "It's from your mother."

"Yes sir," Jim tried to step back but the lieutenant wasn't letting go yet.

"I expect that you shall be sharing this evening." His voice was low, that smile still plastered across his face. Jim had never regretted bribing someone with his mom's cookies more than Lieutenant Gray. "I'll be by before lights out."

"Yes sir," Jim answered again, not bothering to mask the irritation in his voice. "I need to get back to my friends now." He would have kicked up more of a fuss, but he absolutely did not need to be voluntold for every little task the lieutenant could think of over the next two weeks.

Lieutenant Gray released the box at last and held up the next bundle of letters. "Hernut."

Jim rushed back to the wall, his precious box cradled in his arms. His friends beamed as he rejoined them. "Don't even think about asking for one now. If I open this thing in here, it'll be a madhouse. I don't need to get into another fistfight this week."

"Afraid to break your pretty face, Jim?" Braxton rubbed his own crooked nose to emphasize his point.

Jim rolled his eyes. "Like I'd let them get me in the face. I'm not terrible like you." Braxton sulked and Jim leaned back against the wall with a satisfied smirk. So long as he held these cookies, he was practically invincible. Home cooking was the most valuable commodity among the young recruits.

A small cheer went up from a group in the back as one of their friends received a package of his own. Jim did not miss the fact Lieutenant Gray took a little too long speaking with that boy as well. He shook his head. "I'm out, fellows. I'll meet you back by my bunk. I'm going to see how much of this I can squirrel away before Gray suspects I hid some of it."

Matt shoved himself off the wall to join him. "I'll come along. I'm not getting any mail anyway." Some of the nearby cadets shied away. With his ink black skin and bright red eyes, Matt was used to the fear his appearance could cause among those that did not know him well.

Braxton huffed. "You're lucky your last name starts with an H, Jim."

Matt chuckled. "R isn't that bad. You'll be done before we've polished off the cookies."

"Gee, thanks." Braxton grumbled unconvincingly.

Matt slung his arm across Jim's shoulders. "Let's go, Jimmy. You can squirrel some of those away in my stomach."

"Thanks, but I'm not looking to practice my surgery skills right now." Jim answered brightly as they headed out of the hall.

Matt rolled his eyes and grinned. Together the two boys made their way down the long empty corridors. Most of their peers waited anxiously to see if they or their buddies would receive anything in this month's post.

Jim opened his package eagerly. The cookies inside were a temptation for sure, but he was much more interested in the little treasures tucked lovingly on top. Letters from his mother, Doctor Dopple, and what looked like it might have been from the babies. Matt raided the baked goods. Jim flopped on his bed to read his letters.

"My darling Jim,

I am still so very proud of you. Everyone back home loves listening to your achievements as much as I love talking about them. The whole town stops by just to ask about our local hero.

The inn is still doing well. We've been holding together alright without you. I miss you, though. Sometimes when I walk into the kitchen it feels so empty without you there helping with the dishes or leaving some broken part to your surfer on my counters."

His mother's neat script continued across another three pages. Jim savored every word. It was with a lot of reluctance that he set aside that first piece of home and reached for the next papers in his pile. The next four pages were obviously from the babies. All four were colorful finger paintings with the 'artist's' name written on the back by Mrs Doppler.

His final letter was from Dr. Doppler himself. Delbert's letter was a short one this time, but it still made Jim smile to have it. He wished Jim luck in his studies, and recommended a new book about astronomy that a colleague of his had published. In fact, the letter stated, he would be sending Jim a copy of the book just as soon as he could.

Dr. Doppler's reading recommendations were always something Jim could look forward to. As he set the letter to the side, his eyes flicked over to the small shelf filled mostly with books Delbert had sent him.

Matt munched on another cookie. "Don't tell me you're thinking about picking up a book when we have these delicious cookies to finish off." He was settled into a corner with his favorite sketchbook and a graphite pencil.

"Of course not! Give 'em here." Jim grabbed the box from his friend and snagged two for himself. "Aw yeah, mailo chip! Nice!"

"Mailo chip?" Braxton's voice drew their attention to the doorway. "My favorite!" He joined them in the room, taking a cookie for himself as Jim offered him the box. "Aww yeah, this is the life."

Jim leaned over to take a look at Matt's drawing. "Wow, Matt, that's amazing! You're certain you've only seen Morph once? That looks exactly like him. You never cease to amaze me."

"Stop flirting with him, Jim." Braxton demanded with a wicked grin. Jim blushed hard.

Nonplused Matt spoke up as he set his sketchbook to the side, "Yeah, you'll make poor Braxton jealous."

"He will not!" Braxton protested venomously.

"Oh, so you're open to sharing then? Very adventurous of you Braxy."

Braxton lunged at Matt and the two boys tussled around the room for a minute knocking into furniture and threatening to send the contents of the room spilling out into the hall.

"Guys, cut it out." Jim rolled his eyes and set to separating out a small stash of the cookies so Gray wouldn't know how much was in there. "And pass me one of my books, would you? One Gray won't recognize."

His friends paused. Matt had a hold of the antenna on the left of Braxton's head directly above his single metal ear. His other arm was wrapped tight about his friend's chest, his fingers digging into his ribs. Braxton was working on prying Matt's fingers off his delicate upgrade.
Braxton squirmed in Matt's grip, twisting just enough to underhand toss a random selection to Jim.

Jim caught it out of the air. "Thanks." He raised his voice to be heard over the fight happening on the other side of his room. "I can make up for space if Gray thinks Doppler sent me one this time as well as next."

Matt's head gave a solid thunk as Braxton gained the advantage and pinned him to the wall. "Take it back," Braxton demanded. "I won't have you insinuating I'm cheating on Fikky."

"Okay, okay!" Matt agreed breathlessly. "Yield. You're the most loyal boyfriend in all the galaxy."

Braxton released his friend and stepped back with a nod. "Better."

Jim snickered. "Alright. How's this look? Cookies, parchment paper, book, letters. Think I can convince Gray with this?"

His two companions inspected his handy work before nodding their assent. Braxton took charge of the situation. "Set the box to the side. Matt, can you get out some cards? Jim, put about five cookies on a plate, we'll try to convince Gray we've only had a few ourselves."