SEPTEMBER, 2280

The horrid events of three months past were finally fading into the past. The young lovers had harmed each other in ways that they should not have been able to forgive. But of course they did. How could they not?

She stopped kissing him, and held the sides of his head.

"I will miss you. Not having you next to me every night will be a little taste of hell, I think."

He smiled, then kissed her forehead, cheeks, and nose, before going back to her lips.

"We've both been in hell. We can handle this--as long as we're both nearby."

With that, the most important person in her young life became a sketchy, shadow presence, only seen at special events and semester break. But in their hearts, they were never apart. They were two halves of a whole that would one day save the universe. Or die trying.

Going back to her dorm room, she opened the door and there saw her new roommate. A quick telepathic scan from her Thy'la had confirmed that she was not an enemy agent. Had the scan been less quick, he might have found a great deal more.

"Oh, Hi! Is this your room, too? Sorry for the mess--I'm kind of a slob. Just ask any of my friends back home."

She sighed.

"I do not demand perfection. Merely that you keep the mess under
control. Are you an early riser or a late one?"

The girl, looking a trifle too young for Starfleet Academy, smiled. She seemed almost surreal, with her long blond pigtails and ebullient enthusiasm.

"Ohhh--waaaayy, way late. I'm never on time for anything. Just ask my
friends back home."

"I see. Well, my name is Saavik Brianna Kirk. And yes, my adoptive father is the Captain Kirk."

The girl's face grew confused.

"Captain who? Well, anyway my name is Bunny Serenity. Saavik, can I ask you a question?"

Saavik fought the urge to laugh at the girl's name and the urge to ridicule her for not knowing who Uncle Jim was.

"Of course--Bunny."

"Are these people like---very serious about homework and junk? Or are they semi-cool about it?"

Saavik raised an eyebrow.

"Bunny, this is Starfleet Academy. Seriousness about homework is not an issue to even be discussed."

That same vacuous smile.

"Oh, so they just let it go? I was hoping things were like that, here. Back home, they are Soooo crazy serious about it. I mean sheesh!"

Saavik saw where this was going.

"Bunny---homework IS The Academy. There is no aspect of life here that is not part of the learning experience."

Bunny's eyes became spiral-like, and her pigtails shot out. Her mouth opened and her jaw dropped. Saavik became concerned for her well-being.

"Ohhh--CRUMBS!!! Why did I have end to end up in Homework Hell? Isn't it enough that they all used to make fun of me, because they could do it and I couldn't? I mean, they were supposed to be my friends."

That hit a nerve with Saavik, as perhaps little else could. Many bigoted Vulcans had posed as her friends, only to betray her. She made a decision she would soon regret.

"Where and when I can, Bunny--I will help you. You do not want to face a Cadet Review from Admiral Bunson."

"Ohhhh--thanks, Saavik. You're so cool--and I love what you've done to your ears. VERY Legend Of Zelda."

Saavik walked out, hoping to find calm either in meditation or in her Peter's arms. Bunny Serenity was going to be a trip.

When she was alone, Bunny began to cry. She withdrew a small wand, topped with a gold crescent moon.

"She hates me, guys. Just the way I always made you end up hating me. Guess I'm good at that, huh? I promise, by the power I once had, to keep seeking a way home. This universe is like soooo weird. Darien—please wait for me? And Rei----KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF HIM WHILE I'M GONE, YOU KUNG-FU TRAMP!!!"

Gently, gingerly, the 15-year old put her scepter away, and began to cry again. She wondered if she would ever get back to her home universe, and once again lead her friends into battle against the forces of darkness---as the one called Sailor Moon. It was Serena Usagi's most fervent prayer.

That, and having Saavik do her homework for her.