Star Date: 12305.12-

After the talk with her professor, Katie returned to her servant's flat at Brookdale. Katie tossed her school bag on the chair by the desk and flopped down on the bed. The professor's words spun in Katie's mind the whole time walking home. "Katelynn, you are a fantastic dancer. You know all the steps, the lore, and the techniques, but you are just going through the steps. You aren't performing out there. How can you be your character when you don't even know who you are?"

Katie grabbed her pillow and screamed into it from frustration. What she wouldn't give to grab Christine and Grace and then disappear off to get pedicures and mint chip ice cream. Grace was off with Jack in the far reaches of nowhere. At least Grace had Jack and little Christopher. Grace and Jack were off living their dreams; they were married, had an adorable son, and worked on their dream projects for Star Fleet. Where did that leave Katie?

With a sigh, Katie sat in bed and picked up her communication pad. It was mid-morning at Ravenswood back on Earth, and there was a chance her mother might be home.

Just as the connection was made, pots and pans crashed to the floor. "Ravenswood, can I help you?" a female voice responded after the crash subsided.

"Mom?"

A human female face with hair falling out of a messy bun appeared on the screen, "Katie? Why are you calling?"

When the face came into focus, Katie was surprised. "Chrissy? What are you doing at home?"

"I asked you first," Christine said, "Never mind, what is up?"

"Where's mom?"

"At a meeting at headquarters. Is something wrong?" Christine asked, concern written all over her face.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just needed to talk to Mom. That's all." Katie said sadly.

Christine considered her sister, "And that is a load of horse crap, and you know it, Katie." Christine gave her sister a knowing look, "What is bothering you?"

Katie pursed her lips, annoyed, "Why do you think something is wrong?"

"Because I had the same look until Mom told me I had to spend the rest of the day in culinary therapy," Christine smirked.

"No wonder the pots were crashing all over the place." Katie teased.

"Ha ha," Christine laughed, "You try carrying a stack of pots with two needy dogs under your feet."

"Two?" Katie said, surprised.

"Oh yeah, you don't know about Olie." Christine teased and moved the camera to show the dog. "He followed Dad home one day and decided to live with us."

"How did Remy take it?" Katie curled up on her bed, glad to be talking to her sister.

"He was happy to have someone to play with. Besides, Dad needed Olie as much as Mum needed Remy."

"It wouldn't surprise me." Katie finally relaxed, talking to her sister, "So why are you doing your culinary therapy?" Katie teased.

"Mom says I am too stressed out over my exam tomorrow, and I need to relieve my stress that doesn't involve taking Draggs flying over the moon." Christine smiled and took a seat at the kitchen bar.

"So, you are turning mom's kitchen into a science experiment?" Katie smiled.

"Hey! Unlike someone I know, I clean my mess up as I go." Christine said, mock offended.

"Making the mess is half the fun." Katie laughed.

"I'm still trying to get the boilover from the butter tarts you made at Christmas off the counter!"

"At least it is you, not me." Katie laughed.

"Other than torturing me about cleaning up your messes, what is bothering you?" Christine pulled a mug towards her and took a sip.

Katie sighed, "Mom and Dad, tell you, I applied for the fast-track master's program?"

"Mom was telling me about it." Christine got comfortable and looked at her sister through the screen, "It seems like a lot of work, but if it is what you want, go for it."

"That's just it; I'm unsure if I want it anymore." Katie sighed and looked down at her hands.

"What do you mean? You love dancing. I thought this master's in performance was what you wanted?" Christine asked honestly, "You have been talking about it since you were accepted at the Dance Academy when you were 12."

"I know, I just…" Katie couldn't express her thoughts. "Chrissy, why did you become a doctor?"

"I've always wanted to be a doctor. I like to help people." Christine smiled, "Why do you ask?"

"I meant, why did you choose to do your resident training in pediatrics? If you didn't take a specialty, you would be stationed on a ship by now. Instead, you have another five years of training. So, why do it?"

Christine was confused by her sister's statement, "I've worked with kids as long as I can remember. I've always enjoyed helping in Mom's development labs and volunteering on the pediatric floor. Why wouldn't I want to get a specialty in pediatrics?"

"Mom is considered one of the best developmental pediatricians in Star fleet. Aren't you just following in her steps?"

"I am not my mother." Christine's voice took on an edge.

"All right, all right," Katie held her hands in surrender. "I came back to school to prove that I am more than just the granddaughter of Craven Rose. I'm a professional performer in my own right, and I'm not hanging onto his legacy."

"And?" Christine glared at her.

"I keep asking myself, is this master in performance for me, or just to prove I am more than Grandpa Craven." A knot formed in Katie's stomach. "I feel like a ship caught in rough seas. I don't know which route to take."

"Dad says life tends to come in waves, periods for calm with short bursts of rough seas, but we weather it all." Christine sighed, not sure how to help her sister. "I don't know what to tell you, Bug. I'm still trying to find my course out there. At least I have a destination. I'm unsure if it is the right destination, but it is a start on my journey."

"Any hints for someone who doesn't have a destination yet?" Katie asked, hopefully.

Christine thought, "When the tornado hit back home, I wanted to do what mom did: work in the development laps and help families. Afterward, I realized that I didn't want to do that. I wanted to be out on the floor helping people and doing things. While working in a lab is good, there is something about hands-on helping people, especially kids. That is why I started taking more rotations through A&E. My specialty might be working with kids, but they aren't the only ones who need help."

"And your suggestion is I go help at some disaster somewhere?"

"No, no," Christine smiled and shook her head, "Your program doesn't start until next January or February, right?"

"Roughly, yeah."

"Go take an internship. Go out into the real world and see if performing is what you always want to do. Spend six months straight on the same cast and see if you like it. In the worst case, you become a professional gardener at an arboretum next spring and dance with the local troops. In the best case, you find the life you always wanted and know the next step in your journey." Christine gave her sister an encouraging smile.

"So, the 'toss me into the deep end and see if I swim' scenario?"

"Not quite that bad." Christine reassured her, "Dad takes those hot shots who think that will be great command officers and makes them face reality out there. Some shatter under pressure, others harden, and others learn to mold the situation. Regardless, they come out of that training knowing where they stand in their future. This is a chance for you to do that for yourself."

"You realize that you are channeling Dad, right?" Katie teased.

"Maybe I am. Dad didn't become an Admiral for nothing; he does know what he is doing… most of the time." Christine smirked.

With a sad smile, Katie said, "I miss you 'Kissy.'"

"I miss you too, Bug." Christine smiled. "You don't have to call Mom for help all the time. Your big sister occasionally has a good idea."

"I know." Katie waved at her sister, "As long as you remember to call your little sister once in a while."

"Deal." With a sad wave, Christine closed the connection.

Katie sighed and set the pad aside. Christine had a valid point. There were auditions the next day for a song and dance tour in the next couple of days. It was a good production company, and the shows were for Star Fleet personnel. Do some fun performances for audiences of Star Fleet families like her own, and in the meantime, see if she liked the life. Either way, it would be a win-win for her. Come what may, this was a step into the future she felt she could take.