Two hours seems likes two hundred hours when you are being transported via a shuttlecraft back on board the Enterprise.

Kevin looks at me smiles, “I know the trip seems to be long.”

“No it is fine.” I answer Kevin.

“Honey, we will return to Star Base 12 in the spring. The gardens will be in full bloom then.” Kevin tells me.

“Spring seems to far away. We haven’t even hit winter yet.” I tell Kevin.

“This is true. Winter hasn’t even started.” Kevin tells me.

“I hate winter. Everything is a sleep until spring comes again.” I tell Kevin.

“We are an eternal spring on the Enterprise.” Kevin said.

“Yes it is simulated. Mother Nature allows seasons to sleep.” I tell Kevin.

“I have never noticed how large this universe really was until I could see it from this shuttlecraft.” I tell Dale.

“Yes honey, the universe is really big.” Kevin tells me.

“The universe is also a lonely place.” I sigh.

“The universe is a lonely place. It’s only lonely because so many people are looking for love.” Kevin said.

“Love is an emotion that is both pleasing and it hurts.” I tell Kevin.

Kevin just looks at me, as I look out the window from the shuttlecraft.

I was very quiet during the last thirty minutes of our trip home to the Enterprise.

Finally, we heard Mr. Scott say, “We have just rendezvous’ with the Enterprise. They are preparing to beam us back on board to the shuttlecraft launch pad.”

“Shuttlecraft to Enterprise, we are ready to be beamed back on board the Enterprise.” Mr. Scott tells transportation room.

“We are beaming you back on board shuttlecraft.” Lyle says.

A few minutes, the shuttlecraft has slowed down, the engines turned off, and Mr. Scott opens the door to the shuttlecraft that leads us back into the Enterprise’s transportation room.

Mr. Scott walks out, followed by Kevin, Linda, Our children, and me.

Capt. Kirk, Len are there to meet us in the transportation room.

“Welcome home Karissa, Kate, and Kevin Jr.” Captain Kirk says to us.

“I want to thank you for your warm welcome home Sir.” I tell Capt. Kirk.

Len comes up to me and says, “You look good Karissa honey. That little trip did you a world of good and left some color in your skin.”

“Thank you Len. We had a wonderful stay. I visited my beloved gardens. Oh they were so beautiful.” I told Len.

“I hope you didn’t tire yourself out.” Len said.

“No, I am fine. I rested in the gardens as Kate played. She is so full of energy and life.” I tell Len.

“I am sure once you were the same way Karissa.” Len replies.

“I don’t remember that part of my life Len. There are parts of my life that are still blank.” I tell Len.

“Kate what do you say when someone sees you?” I ask Kate.

“Hello Dr. McCoy, how are you? Kate asks Len.

“I am just fine Ms. Kate. Did you enjoy your visit to Star Base 12?” Len asks Kate.

“Yes, Momma, Kevin Jr, and I went into the gardens.” Kate said.

“You are very much like your Momma. She loves those gardens on Star Base 12 surrounding the Academy.” Len tells Kate.

Kate just looks at Kevin and me, as she is talking to Len.

I smile as Kate talks to Len. Kevin watches Kate talk to Len as well.

“How is Dale, Karissa?” Len asks me.

“Dale is fine. He is lonely now that he is divorced.” I tell Len.

“I am sorry to hear his marriage didn’t last.” Len says.

“Yes, I am sorry too. It broke my heart to leave him.” I tell Len.

“Karissa you have a pure heart of gold. You would take care of everyone else but yourself.” Len said.

“I have always been this way Len.” I said sadly.

“It’s one of your most endearing qualities.” Len says to me.

“I have been told that many times.” I said.

“Where are you right now Karissa?” Len asked me.

“Where am I right now?” I ask Len.

“I know we are back on board the Enterprise. Are you asking me where my heart and soul is right now?” I ask Len.

“Yes, Karissa where is your heart and soul now?” Len asks me.

“My heart and soul is back in the gardens on Star Base 12.” I tell Len.

“I thought as much. You see to be somewhere else.” Len tells me.

“I am somewhere else Len.” I told him sadly.

“Did you take your meds when you were down there with Dale?” Len asks me

“Yes, Dale made sure I took my morning and evening meds.” I replied.

“I am glad that Dale made sure you took them.” Len said.

“Yes I took them on schedule.” I reply.

“I see Master Kevin is a wake.” Len says.

“Ah yes, he finally woke up. He slept the whole way from Star Base 12.” I said.

Linda walks over and says, “Prince is a wake.”

“Please bring Prince to me.” I ask Linda.

Linda carries Kevin Jr over to me,”Here you Karissa.” Linda says.

“Thank you Linda.” I reply.

“It looks like that trip was good for Master Kevin.” Len said.

“Oh yes, he loves the outdoors.” I tell Len.

“Karissa honey, we need to be getting back to our quarters.” Kevin says.

“All right, I will talk to you later Len. I know my children are hungry, need a nap.” I tell him.

“Yes Karissa dear, we will talk later on.” Len said, I walk over to Kevin, and Linda, Kevin, Kate, and I am carrying Kevin Jr back to our quarters.

Kevin unlocks our quarters, Kate runs in the front door, back to the nursery.

Linda sits down, and I say, “I have to change Kevin Jr. I will be back in a minute.”

I walk in the nursery through the door, carry Kevin over to the changing table; put a fresh diaper on him. He is smiling.

“I see you are happy now. I have a bottle for you. You must be hungry.” I tell Kevin Jr giving him a kiss on the head.

I walk out of the nursery, carrying Kevin Jr, in my arms, head for the kitchen to prepare him his bottle of baby cereal, pears, and formula.

I warm it up walk about over to my recliner, turn on our music, and start to feed Kevin Jr.

Kevin puts everything away for us, walks back into the living room.

“I see Prince was hungry.” Kevin says.

“Oh yes, he is always hungry. He eats so well.” I tell Kevin.

“My Karissa, you seem so distant.” Kevin tells me.

“I do, I don’t mean too.” I tell Kevin as I fed Prince.

“Where are you right now My Karissa?” Kevin asks me.

“I am on the Enterprise right now feeding our son.” I tell Kevin.

“No, where are you really at right now?” Kevin asks me.

“Where is my heart right now?” I correct him.

“Yes exactly.” Kevin asks me.

“My heart is in the gardens at Star Fleet Academy.” I tell Kevin, “That is where it stays most of the time.”

“Oh my dearest love, we will go back to the gardens in spring.” I promise you that.

“Spring is so far away.” I tell Kevin.

“No it isn’t. Before you know it will be here.” Kevin tells me.

“I will count the days for spring to come again.” I tell Kevin.

I continue to feed our son, listen to our music.

Kevin sits down in the other recliner, listens to our music which I have playing. Perhaps, it is the only good part about returning to the Enterprise. My music library is my greatest source of comfort and pleasure.

Kevin and I sit in our living room, joined by Linda. I have Kevin Jr in my arms, and Kate is in the nursery playing with her toys.