The mineral pools of Kythis Springs shimmered under the morning sun like liquid opals, casting soft rainbow hues across the ancient stone walkways. Dr. Lilly Hansen sat at the edge of one of the upper terraces, legs dangling in warm, healing water, a cup of jasmine-ginger tea cooling at her side.

It had taken her two days to slow down. Two full days before she stopped checking the subspace relay for patient reports. Two full days before she stopped glancing over her shoulder expecting the sound of a medkit snapping open.

But on the third day, she finally exhaled.

The hot springs, carved from volcanic cliffs and surrounded by blooming wind-vines, were once reserved for diplomats and planetary elders. Now, they were open to all Federation citizens—and Lilly couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to rest.

She spent her mornings journaling on parchment paper, not a PADD, scribbling thoughts about resilience and renewal. She re-read old letters from Kate Townsend, smiled at photos of her time at Starfleet Medical, and even stitched part of a hand-dyed sash she planned to gift her younger sister.

In the afternoons, she volunteered—just for an hour or two—at the small coastal clinic nearby. Nothing intense. Just wound care, hydration therapy, and helping elderly locals climb into the healing baths. The laughter, gratitude, and touch of simple humanity reminded her why she chose medicine in the first place.

At night, she’d return to her stone villa with the open ceiling and fall asleep to the rhythmic hush of distant waves.

Casperia didn’t just restore her energy. It reminded her who she was when no one was bleeding or screaming. She wasn’t just a healer.

She was Lillian. A woman. A sister. A dreamer.

And she was whole again.