Timeline: During "Quasar Quest, Part One."

"Kendrix, are you still in there?"

The blonde woman glanced up at the door's reflection in her mirror. "Obviously, Kai," she stated matter-of-factly.

"You realize, of course, Terra Venture will leave without us!"

A smile spread on her glossed lips as she once again adjusted the badge resting upon her proud breast. "You're getting neurotic again."

Her fingertips lingered on the smooth gold surface of the badge. It was finally official... after four years of intensive training at the GSA camp, she finally got her chance! Now, she was preparing to bid farewell to her native planet, in search of adventure and exploration. She would be one of the pioneers to carve a path through the mysteries of the universe, and go where no human had ever trod.

Her life was about to begin.

"For the record, Lieutenant Morgan, a person can't 'get' neurotic. A person 'is' neurotic, like a person 'is' intelligent. And I'm not neurotic!"

She rolled her cerulean eyes playfully as she rose from her seat. As she crossed the room, she hefted a large black leather backpack, as well as a dark helmet that rested on her bed. She drew open the door, tilting her head towards her friend.

"Pulling rank on me, Lieutenant-Commander Chen?" she inquired, shaking her head in disappointment, "It certainly didn't take you long to develop a superiority complex! It was only a week ago I tutored you for the Astrophysics final."

"And I'm eternally grateful," he said, a mocking grin on his face, "but if we don't board Terra Venture within the next two hours, all that studying would've been for nothing!"

Kendrix conceded, her teeth nervously clenching on her lower lip as she surveyed her dorm room for the final time.

"Do you have everything?" Kai inquired.

Kendrix nodded, reaching to switch off the ceiling light. "Yeah... I'm ready."

"Ready to say hello to your new life?"

Her face shone with excitement and determination, and she stated without the slightest hesitation "Absolutely."

Kendrix huffed with mild indignation, as she tossed a glare towards her friend, who remained a solid two yards in front of her. She sighed audibly, shifting to the left to weave around a pair walking hand in hand.

The base that harbored Terra Venture was abuzz with life. There were reporters, technicians, and residents of the space colony everywhere, all moving to different destinations as quickly as possible. Finally, Kendrix shook her head, and slowed her pace.

"Kai, it's as crazy as a mall on Black Friday in here," she called, a small frown gathering at the side of her mouth, "I'm not going to try and run through here."

Kai rolled his eyes heavenward as he paused, and waited for his friend to catch him. "I can't believe you're not excited about this!" he muttered amazedly.

"Oh, I am excited," she affirmed, "but that doesn't make me want to rush it! I want to savor every moment, Kai. Every step we take is one step further away from Earth... and we'll never see Earth again!"

Kai nodded with understanding, and began scanning around the station, absorbing his surroundings. "You're right," he admitted, "I guess I am rushing things."

Kendrix smiled, and opened her mouth to speak again, when suddenly a flash of red caught her eye. She managed to release a startled cry before she was suddenly plowed to the ground, landing heavily on her dense backpack.

"I'm so sorry!" an unfamiliar voice said, as Kendrix opened her eyes again, "Let me help you."

Kendrix's sapphire gaze slowly rose, and slowly she saw a man before her, wearing a pair of worn denim jeans and a loose crimson shirt. Still, even with the shirt on, an athlete's physique was evident, especially in the arm he offered towards her. Her eyes continued to trail upwards, and saw the man's face. A fresh tan gave life to his smooth face, and his pale green eyes seemed to shimmer in concern. Wayward locks of deep brown hair fell upon his brow as he leaned forward, and his lips were pursed in worry and embarrassment.

Her observance of his appearance only took a moment... but the effects lingered.

She raised her hand to his, and as her fingers touched his palm, his hand enclosed hers in a gentle hug, pulling her to her feet in swift, smooth motion. She steadied herself on her own two feet, and for the first time locked eyes with the stranger.

He responded with what was easily the most charming smile she had ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It was so completely unguarded... so genuine... that it sparked a similar smile to stretch her lips.

A smile like his deserved to be eternally encrusted in marble.

"Watch it!" Kai growled vehemently, pushing between them. Kendrix found herself wrenched from the vision of his smile as she stumbled back a few inches. The stranger's smile fell as well, as he threw another apologetic glance at Kai.

"Kai!" Kendrix uttered, her sharp tone reigning in Kai's angry outburst before it caught fire. Her lips separated to ask a question... any way to get some information... when the stranger's head turned. Suddenly, his face gathered into a frown of determination, as he stepped away.

"Excuse me!" he called, before dashing madly into the crowds.

"You okay?" Kai inquired, his hand tightly grasping Kendrix's arm. She didn't answer... her eyes still following the red shirt until it was utterly lost in the sea of people.

She sighed in disappointment. "Yeah... I'm fine."

"Officers!" a voice called, drawing both their attention. They turned and saw two security guards stand at attention before them.

"What?" Kai inquired, a frown on his face.

"Did you see a tall young man? He was wearing a red shirt."

"Yeah-"

"What did he do?" Kendrix interrupted, her hand falling on Kai's arm to silence him. Kai frowned in confusion, and stared at Kendrix for a moment. She, on the other hand, patiently waited for a response.

"He's a stow-away," the guard answered.

"He wen-"

"Nope, haven't seen him," she determined, once again silencing her best friend. The two guards nodded, before hurrying into the crowds to continue their search.

"Kendrix?" Kai whispered incredulously, as she began striding towards the docking bay. She didn't respond, and she kept her unseeing gaze forward.

Kai's jaw dropped when he noticed just a hint of a skip in his friend's step.

The most beautiful eyes... and most amazing smile! she reflected, sighing inwardly as she toyed with the end of her ponytail.

She knew when she woke up that morning this day would be the most incredible day of her life. A day for new experiences, big surprises, and endless sights to see.

Still... she didn't anticipate this!

Of course... she didn't know what 'this' was. That man was certainly attractive... even gorgeous, if a man could be described as such. And charismatic... she could tell from the smile.

Something big had happened... something she didn't think even could happen.

She felt a tingle of excitement at the very thought of that stranger. He had smiled at her, and it was without a doubt a weighted smile.

Maybe he was interested, too.

A bud was planted, and it would grow with time. She was sure of it.

"Until next time," she whispered faintly, biting her lower lip with anticipation.

Her life really had begun.

The Beginning