Kathryn Janeway stared at the offending PADD in her hand. She knew he wasn't going to wait around forever for her. She knew he thought she was dead. She knew this, but it was difficult trying to accept it. Kathryn was taken from her reverie by the sound of the door chime. "Come in," she managed to call out. How, she didn't know. She didn't think her voice would work.

It was her First Officer, Chakotay. He had become one of her closest friends, and... more? *No, Kathryn, that's not possible. Think of Starfleet regulations!* Well, that's what her mind was telling her. Her heart was a different story all together.

"May I help you with something, Commander?" she asked.

"I was wondering if you were going to partake in Neelix's celebration." Kathryn looked down at the PADD again. She certainly didn't feel like celebrating. "What's wrong?"

"Hmm?"

"You're a million light years away, Kathryn."

She smiled sadly. "My dog had her puppies on schedule."

"Congratulations," Chakotay replied. He took in her expression. It was one of longing. "There's something else, isn't there?"

Kathryn nodded. "I don't really know why I was expecting this letter to tell me what I wanted to hear. I knew Mark wasn't going to wait around for me. Especially if he thought I was dead, but..."

"But you were hoping," Chakotay finished for her.

"I was hoping," she whispered, trying to hold in her tears.

Chakotay sat next to her. "Kathryn, there was nothing wrong with doing that. I would have done the same."

She sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to put her thoughts into words. "What am I supposed to do now? I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone, but being everyone's superior here has put me out of options."

Chakotay cleared his throat. What he really wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and hold her close. He loved her so much. From the moment she appeared on his viewscreen. "Kathryn, no matter what you believe, you'll never be alone. I promise." He smiled. "Besides, how can a beautiful woman ever be alone?

She looked at him, tears shining in her eyes, and smiled back at him. "Are you flirting with me, Commander?"

He laughed. "I guess I am."

"Good, because I rather enjoy it." Kathryn turned to face him and took his hands in hers. "I'm going to need some time but I really want this to work, Chakotay."

Chakotay nodded. "So do I... but what about Starfleet regulations?"

"Lets just cross that bridge when we come to it," she replied.

"Sounds good to me."

"Neelix to the Ready Room."

Kathryn grinned at Chakotay. "We have some officers missing, and you and the Commander are two of them. Come join us!"

"On our way, Mr. Neelix." Kathryn stood up and offered her arm to Chakotay. He gladly accepted it.

****************

B'Elanna watched Tom as he slept on the couch. He had fallen asleep after his shift. She remembered what she had said to him: 'You could assume that he loves you and he's proud of you.'

'I think I will.'

She only hoped it was true.

"Penny for your thoughts," Tom asked. She looked at his face to find him smiling up at her.

"What's a penny?"

Tom sat up. "It's a... nevermind." He invited her to sit next to him. "What are you thinking about?"

"Not much, really. It's been a crazy couple of days, hasn't it?" she asked. He nodded, but he was really quiet. "Tom?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you really all right about the letter?" B'Elanna was upset that she had lost it. It was almost fully downloaded when those damn Hirogen...

"I was kind of eager to read it. I was even going against my own advice." She raised an eyebrow in question. "I got my hopes up."

B'Elanna wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry, Tom."

"It's not your fault, 'Lanna. I know you tried your best to get all the letters," Tom replied. "Thank you for giving me hope. I have a feeling I'll be able to talk to him again. I can't explain it, but... it's there."

She smiled and kissed him passionately on the lips. "I'm glad, Helmboy. That's something we can all afford right now." B'Elanna stood up and took his hand. "Come on, lets go see what Neelix has in store for us."

"B'Elanna, wait!" Tom said.

"What?"

"Are you all right?"

B'Elanna nodded. "I think so, Tom. Although I still feel sort of guilty."

"Because you weren't there?" She nodded again. "B'Elanna, that was beyond your control! The Maquis knew what they were getting into just as you did."

"I know," she replied.

Look into my eyes, B'Elanna. She did. "Would I lie to you?"

"No."

"Then believe me when I tell you that it wasn't your fault. Your friends don't blame you. They died for the causes they believed in, for what you believed in. Don't think they died in vain... or alone."

B'Elanna hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Tom."

"You're welcome."

"Neelix to Lieutenants Torres and Paris. We're missing two officers. Report to Holodeck 1!"

"We're coming, Neelix," Tom replied. "Lets go."

"Right behind you, Helmboy!"