The welcome sight of Saturn's Moons glistening briefly, as the Halo 7 brushed through the outer rim towards the inner planets of the solar system. Even at high velocity, the naked eye could pick out Titan and it's over populous polar region--a city of a million lights, cascading through the observation decks huge windows.

The journey from the Tri-star Region was virtually over and the Halo 7 had powered down to sub-light-speed just moments before. The five-week journey was enduring and difficult. Jake Carter watched as Carla first warmed to him, but gradually pulled away, seemingly back into the grasp of Steve Costello.

Jake could not believe his luck. He rescued her, dammit, and yet it was Steve who received all the accolades, the praise and Carla's affection. He wasn't sure how but he let Carla slip through his fingers, when a few weeks before it seemed certain that there burgeoning relationship was developing into something significant.

Had he let it happen? Carla told Jake on more than one occasion that he seemed distant. He just shrugged it off and told her he was fine. Had he taken her for granted and allowed a barrier to build between them?

In a few hours, they would be home and all three faced the inquisition of the Chancellor of the South Downs Alpha Academy. Graduation was by no means certain, or even that they be allowed back into the academy.

They all had their supporters, of course. The Halo's commander Jonathan Hoskins had heaped praise on the courageous efforts of his officer candidate protege. Not only had Jake rescued, Hoskins' Mistress, Obeya and the two Stevenson sisters, but he had killed the Kryl Winterburn and somehow managed to get them all through the Blue Wormhole just before it imploded. Steve though, was the hero of the moment. His missile had impacted in the center of the wormhole. Packed with its combination of regular and sub space charges, it had destroyed the wormhole and ended the possibility of an invasion by the Kryl.

Carla Stevenson entered the upper observation deck lounge from the aft corridor entrance. She was alone, which was a pleasant surprise and as always she looked stunning, the picture enhanced by the dimmed ceiling lighting which accentuated her tall slim figure. She still took his breath away every time he saw her. He needed her to be his and yet, seemingly she was further away from him than ever.

Carla saw Jake and headed towards his table. He sat in the corner of the lounge, away from the hustle and bustle of the bar and communal area. From here, he could watch the stars go by.

"Hi Jake." She sat down beside him and pecked him on the cheek. "You should have told me you were going to be here. I have been trying to contact you all morning."

"My comm. link is playing up. To be honest, I did not want to disturb you from your studies."

"Disturb me! Jake we have hardly spoken in the last week. I am not sure what's happened, but you seem distant. Steve said you are blanking him, every time your paths cross."

"I have not been blanking him. He is enjoying his hero status and I am...shall we say trying to blend into the background. We will be back on Earth soon and I have been trying to catch up on my studies."

"What about me?"

Jake looked at her quizzically.

"What do you mean?"

"Jake, for God's sake. I know I backed off a little when we first escaped from the wormhole but I was trying to take in everything that happened. I was kidnapped, got my sister back after six years, and split up with my long term boyfriend."

Jake interrupted. "Is he back on the agenda?"

"No!" Carla was cross now. "Jake, I split up with Steve to be with you. I just needed a bit of me time. Do you still feel the same way about me?"

Jake smiled, and suddenly felt the weight of a thousand stars lift from his body. "Of course, I do!"

He stood up and clumsily at first, they embraced.

Jonathan Hoskins was in his ready room. This was his most challenging mission to date, but it was over and the Halo 7 would shortly dock at Alpha Two, where she would commence a four-week refit. She was badly damaged in the Kryl Galaxy and earned a rest...as had he. This was unlikely. He was soon to become a father. Somehow he had to juggle his career with his family and find time also for Obeya Temsouri.

Hoskins made up his mind. He needed Obeya and he could not let her go He needed his wife too and of course, she was about to give birth to their first child. Somehow, he would have to manage his private and work life to allow him to see Obeya, without his wife finding out. This would be difficult if his wife continued to assert that he should take extended paternity leave. He found himself hoping that a new military crisis would arise and the decision taken out of his hands.

A comm. link broke his pattern of thought. The Halo 7 had reduced to sub-light-speed and would be commencing docking procedures within the hour.

He needed to see Obeya, before she departed. It may be their last time for a while. He left the ready room observing briefly, as his bridge crew prepared the ship for docking. Satisfied his first officer had matters at hand, he left the bridge without comment and headed for Obeya's quarters.