Chapter Text
Breathe in. Breathe out.
"One, two, three, four..." she mumbled, tapping each individual finger to her thumb in an even rhythm like she always does when she gets nervous or overwhelmed.
Any second her name would be called. Four years of training, hard work, and dedication over and done with the handing of a diploma.
She moved forward, peeking out into the crowd of people. She noticed the reddish-brown hair with streaks of gray first, and further back she recognized her father’s tattoo. Her mother sat in the third row, her father in the fifth. The anxiety bubbling within her died down for a moment. She was thankful that her parents could maintain composure while in the same room for once. The past few months, they had only ever been at each other's throats, arguing, throwing things, slamming doors. Finally, just last week, her father agreed to move out, and her mother began the process of filing for divorce. A small ache had formed in her heart and settled the moment they broke the news, but there was no shock. If she were honest with herself, she had seen it coming, but it still did hurt to remember the times before. Her parents had been so happy, so in love and devoted to their family, to each other. Everything was picture perfect, until one day it wasn't. Neither would tell her exactly what happened to cause the rift. They didn't want to bring her into their problems, but she had hints here and there that helped her to piece it together.
She cringed as she noticed a reporter on the side of the room attempting to sneak holoimages of her estranged parents. She could see the headlines already. "Starfleet's Favorite Couple On the Outs?!” Before she could make a move to stop the reporter, she felt a hand on her arm.
"Ana, they just called you!" the girl whispered.
Her eyes widened, and her heartbeat quickened.
In the blink of an eye she was on stage, unsure how her feet had even gotten her there. Her father was smiling, and her mother was holding back tears of joy. She took a moment to process what was happening, smirked at both parents, and walked to stand with her other classmates.
The ceremony carried on in a haze of excitement. Applause and whistles rang in her ears as the final name was called. She turned around to face the crowd once more, and her eyes caught those of Miral’s, who was standing and clapping in the front row. It was the exact same spot Ana had sat to watch Miral graduate one year prior. A smirk formed on the girl's lips and Ana winked at her as she walked away, her heart beating a thousand miles a minute.
She walked behind the stage and waited for her mother to meet her, but suddenly she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She spun around, and immediately her face lit up.
"Uncle Harry!" She said with a smile.
He chuckled and leaned in for a hug.
"Hey, kid," he said.
She pulled away and took in the sight of the distinguished Captain Kim.
"What are you doing here? I thought mom said you couldn't make it."
His smile softened, and he pulled her to the side, away from the crowd of giddy graduates.
"Well, actually, I'm here on official business. I need to talk to you about something important."
"Of course! What is it?" she asked.
He paused, then taking on that look she knew too well, that Starfleet-severe look, he continued.
"I'll be leading a mission in a few short weeks. I want you to come on board as a member of my crew."
Ana practically had to stop her jaw from hitting the ground.
"Me? Why me?" she rambled.
"Because of your research on rare diseases. It's extensive, thorough, showing comprehension on a level that someone years your senior could only dream of. Besides, you graduated top of your class."
She laughed in disbelief.
"Yes...ten seconds ago. I graduated ten seconds ago. Starfleet already wants me out on a serious mission?"
"I may have pushed for you," he admitted.
"Oh, so this is nepotism?” her voice took on a hint of annoyance, a tone Harry recognized came from the girl's mother.
"No. This is me wanting my crew to be the best of the best...and you, Ana, are the best. Given your family history, I expected nothing less."
She stopped for a moment to contemplate.
"What is the mission exactly?" her eyebrow raised, and he could tell her curiosity had peaked.
“I can’t give you too many details until you agree to join, but it would only be a few months. There's a planet bordering the Alpha quadrant that's just been hit with a major disease. They've made an agreement with the Federation to obtain our help and medical expertise. We'd go, collect some samples from infected natives, and try to work towards finding a cure."
She remained silent, running everything over in her head.
He looked at her and sighed.
"Listen, don't give me an answer just yet. Take some time and let me know within the next few days."
She nodded and was about to say something when she heard the harsh familiar whispers echoing behind them.
Her mother walked towards her, but her father gently took her mother's arm, attempting to get her to stop and listen to him. She quickly yanked it away, and the two of them began bickering.
Ana huffed in frustration, and then it clicked in her mind. A few months away from all the anger and awkwardness while her parents sort out their divorce actually sounded quite nice. She wouldn't be caught in the middle of an argument, she wouldn't have to tune out their shouts with loud music, and she could take some time to assess her own feelings about everything happening in her life. She also couldn't deny how incredible this opportunity was. A short term mission that fit perfectly with her area of expertise, and she would be working under a captain who she knew and trusted. Without hesitating, she turned back to face him.
"Captain Kim, I'd love nothing more than to join your crew," she grinned.