Log Entry 151010.155

As the Earhart came into view, my spirits soared. It was completely unexpected, which only served to double the elation. The huge weight of the last few months was lifted from my shoulders. All of the stress, the turmoil and the loneliness—it all just slipped away amidst the great joy of being home again. I know that one day I will have to leave the Earhart. I will be posted to another ship probably, but I simply cannot envisage serving aboard any other vessel.

Once docked and walking the corridors of my ship again, those feelings of happiness became euphoric. I hadn't realised just how unhappy I had been until now. The compulsion to run and hug everybody I met was so strong—almost overwhelming, but I held back (thinking it wisest) but the large, daft grin plastered across my face along with my constant humming, told all those I passed how thrilled I was to be back.

"Jen!" a voice screamed from behind. I knew instantly who it was and turned, dropping my bags as I did so.

Behind me was Al, that crazy, lovable gal with a thread of Klingon blood running through her veins. No longer could I resist. I ran and gave her the biggest hug ever; it was so good to see her.

"My! You have missed me!"

"Oh, you have no idea!" I beamed.

"You look awful. Was it that bad?"

"Bad enough."

"Oh cripes! You didn't fail did you?"

Her face fell and fleetingly, I wondered if she was asking for her own interests. It had long ago been made clear to the three of us: me, Rutter and Al, that if one of us failed our Academy training, we would all fail. It was the outcome of a dispute that we had once harboured against Rutter. But that was so long ago and the bonds we had formed since then were so strong that the thought was instantly dismissed.

"Nah. I'm just a bit worn down. Looking forward to a good night's sleep in my own bed and getting back to my job."

"Worn down?"

"Yeah, the Academy this time around was ..." I paused. "Let's just say that there was another issue going on. I'll tell you all about it later, but first I want to find Beastie. Is she with Luke?"

I had missed that big hairball of a moggie. I had missed Luke too. It was another treasured friendship I had formed since joining Starfleet.

"No. Luke had to go on shift, so he dropped Beastie off in your quarters earlier."

With that, Al linked her arm through mine, twirled me around, sweeping up my luggage with her free hand at the same time, and we headed off towards my quarters.

I still marvelled at how strong she was. Only a tad over five feet in height and such a slender, fragile looking thing, but she was as strong as an ox. The last time I saw her, her hair was peroxide blonde, but now the chestnut brown of her natural hair colouring was growing through unchecked. I wondered if she would be touching in her roots again as she had done so meticulously for many years, and resolved to ask her later, but not now. Now, I wanted to hear her tales from her Academy stint at Marseille.