“After all that… after turning my back on them when they offered to help me… now I have to go back to them and ask for their help. And it’s because of the very thing that created the rift, that took their close, loving daughter and sister away from them and created this… stranger in her place.”

She blinked away tears, and Sulu and Chekov both came around to flank her on the couch, their hands on her shoulders. “Hey,” Sulu said. “I can guarantee they won’t see you that way.”

“How? How can you possibly know?”

He grinned. “I’m a dad now, remember? A year ago, I didn’t know Demora existed. Now it feels like she’s always been part of me.

“That’s how family works, Nyota. No matter how long you’re apart, no matter what comes between you, that connection is always there. And a parent’s sense of responsibility for their child never goes away.”

“Besides,” Chekov added, “I know that your mother is a kind, compassionate, and understanding woman.”

“I didn’t think you’d met her.”

“I have met you. Think about it, Nyota. Nomad may have taken away your learning, your experiences—but what remained was who you are at the core. Who you were born to be. And that is a kind, compassionate, and understanding woman. That wasn’t learned—it’s genetic.”

Sulu tilted his head. “I’m not sure it works quite that way. I mean, she retained her ingrained skills. Plus it could’ve come from her father’s side.”

“Stop analyzing. I’m trying to be comforting.”

Uhura laughed. “And you’re both doing a fine job—in your ways.”

Neither one of them was a master at this, yet she still drew strength from their willingness to help. As imperfect as it was, she realized, the connection helped. Would reconnecting with her biological family really be that different? She feared the parts that would be awkward and difficult, but didn’t those go hand in hand with the more fulfilling aspects of family?

Well, sister, she told herself, there’s only one way to find out.

Chapter Ten

Nairobi, United States of Africa

Returning to her childhood home felt to Nyota Uhura like visiting an alien planet.