Jilla stood in the center of her quarters, attempting to memorize the look and feel of the rooms. She had faced the sad fact she would never see them again. Even now, with her belongings packed and in one pile near the door, and Sulu's in a second pile, the cabin felt like home. Spock had thoughtfully refrained from returning his things to First Officer's quarters until after their departure, even though that meant keeping Captain Kirk in the VIP section. Of course, it was more convenient than moving Ruth twice. Still, it was thoughtful and Jilla was grateful. She had asked Maintenance to leave the bed, promising she would strip it of its blankets and sheets prior to its return to Storage. Spock would have no need for the double-sized mattress.

At that thought, tears formed in her eyes. She hastily fought them back. She would not show tears to Sulu, would not make his departure any more difficult. He had not fully realized the nature of their separation, and Jilla did not wish to mar his exultation over his captaincy.

"Not that he will not miss me," she said aloud to the nearly-empty rooms, "I simply would not wish to cause him to regret his own needs and desires."

"Now how could you do that, Lady?"

Jilla started at the sound of Jeremy Paget's voice. She turned to the door to find him leaning against the frame.

"I - I did not hear you come in, Mr. - Jeremy," she said.

"I apologize for the intrusion," Jeremy returned. "I came to see if you needed any help with your things." He took a step forward, leaning down to the pile of bundles and cases. "How could you cause Sulu to regret what he wants?" he repeated nonchalantly.

Jilla took a deep breath. "If he dwells on our separation for too long..."

Jeremy chuckled. "Yeah, that might give him pause at that." He lifted much of the pile, turning back towards the door.

"Please," Jilla said, moving forward. "I am - not quite ready to..."

Jeremy turned back. "Say goodbye?" he finished.

Jilla's skin shimmered. "I have to strip the bed," she murmured.

He set down the bundles. "Need some help?"

"No, I - I prefer to do this myself."

"Makes it all final, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"Lady," Jeremy came over to her. "I know this isn't much help, but it's only a year."

"That is precisely the point, Jeremy," Jilla whispered. "It is not only a year."

“What do you mean?" Jeremy asked gently. Jilla swallowed, fighting with her emotions.

"I will be assigned to a Nest once they are completed," she managed.

"Yeah," Jeremy prompted.

"Sulu will be captain of the Drake."

"For the next year - oh."

"A year's experience will not be sufficient to allow him to captain a Nest. When he has the experience to command a heavy cruiser, the Nests will no longer need new commanders." Her voice broke.

"Jilla, you can't know..." Jeremy began.

"I may never be able to serve with him again," she rasped. Despite all her control, tears began sliding down her cheeks. She felt Jeremy's arms coming around her. The feel of shared sorrow and understanding in his tia destroyed what was left of her reserve. She sobbed, weeping openly.

"Sulu won't let that happen," Jeremy said soothingly. "He'll apply for dependency posting, and..."

Jilla raised her head to protest, and Jeremy put a finger to her lips.

"...AND with the backing of Spock and Captain Kirk and Dr. Han and Spike, you'll get it." He grinned down at her. "And if that don't do it, all you have to do is threaten to resign."

Jilla's voice was little more than a whisper, her head down once more. "Indi will not allow..."

"On Indi, you don't exist," Jeremy returned bluntly. "How are they gonna protest a dependency posting for a non-existent person?"

"They will find a way."

"Then Fleet will find a way around it,"

"It may take longer than we have."

"So you'd better tell Sulu and get the proceedings started, right?" Jilla didn't answer, and Jeremy put a finger under her chin, lifting her face to his. "Right?"

Jilla swallowed. "You make it sound so simple."

"No, Lady. I just make it sound possible."

"Why?"

Jeremy met her frank gaze. For a moment, Jilla shared his feelings in silence, then realized that was what he was doing; sharing his feelings with her. Love, concern, envy, sorrow, honesty.

"Because," he said at last, "his happiness is what I want. You make him happy."

"But your own...?" she began.

"Is secondary." He grinned again. "Surely, Lady, you can understand that."

Again there was silence. He stepped away from her, walking to the door to retrieve her belongings. "I'll take these to the transporter and tell Sulu to come and say goodbye to the bed," he called over his shoulder.

"Jeremy," Jilla said. He turned his head. "Thank you."

"No charge," he returned. The door closed softly behind him.

Sulu had completed all the paperwork necessary for his transfer and new command and was heading out of his office when the comm signaled. He sighed, contemplating not answering. If he didn't, he had just enough time to find Jilla and say a proper goodbye. Who knows what would demand his attention if he did...

"And who am I kidding?" he muttered, returning to his desk and thumbing the switch. "Sulu," he said into the comm.

"Sir, the First Officer of the Drake has beamed aboard and is on route to your office," Uhura said.

Sulu grimaced. There goes my proper goodbye. He mentally shrugged. "Sir?" he asked Uhura. He could hear her smile .

"Well, you are a captain now, sugar."

"So that means you'll plague me like you do Jim, is that it?"

"Something like that. Since when is it 'Jim', Captain Sulu?"

"Since it's 'sir,' Miss Uhura." Her rich voice chuckled over the comm. "I’m gonna miss you."

"Me, too, Sulu. Take care of yourself."

"I'd better. If I let Jilla down, Ruth'll come looking for me. Sulu out."

He closed the comm on Uhura's renewed laughter just as the door chime sounded. "Come," he said, and sat down at the desk.

Then found himself staring most impolitely. He had known from his reading that Commander Jerel Courtland was an Equian, and had seen members of that race at the Academy. Terrans usually described them as satyrs, but it was more accurate to call them bipedal horses - hence the Terran name for them. Their legs were shaped like a horse’s; they stood on a hoofed ‘toe’ with the elongated foot and ankle that made it look as though their knees were on backwards. Their arms ended in three-fingered 'hands'. Their heads were longer than Terrans considered normal, their faces longer too, but for the most part fairly humanoid, with long hair in very horse-like forelocks and manes.

But the only Equians Sulu had known had been female. Jerel Courtland had a blatant, obvious, anatomical difference. Besides his rather rare coloring, the pale tan with white mane that Terrans called 'palomino'; besides his startlingly bright blue eyes; spiraling at an angle out and up from the center of Jerel Courtland's forehead was a golden, six-inch-long horn.

"Captain Sulu?” Courtland said. His voice was deep, with an odd rasp. Sulu was suddenly over-whelmed with the urge to ask him if he were a little 'hoarse' today. He stood up.

"Commander Courtland," he returned, shaking off the impulse. "Forgive the stare. I've never met a male Equian before."

Courtland smiled, his head nodding, giving off what could only be described as a whinny. "It does tend to give Humans a shock," he agreed.

"Is it sharp?" Sulu asked, immediately feeling foolish. Courtland didn't seem to mind.

"Normally, yes. I keep it blunted. It's safer that way."

Sulu stepped forward, offering his hand. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Mr. Courtland."

Courtland shook it. "Thank you, sir. I came to escort you to your ship, and to answer any questions you may have about the Drake."

"You've been aboard her a long time?"

"Since I was commissioned."

"Which was..." Sulu paused, mentally reviewing the information.

"Seven years ago," Courtland supplied.

Sulu nodded. "You've moved up fast. I’m impressed."

Courtland smiled again. "So have you, and so am I, sir."

Sulu shrugged. "I've got friends in high places," he confided.

"Indeed, Captain?" Courtland contented, cocking his head to one side. It had the effect of tossing his mane, and again Sulu suppressed an inappropriate comment: 'whoa, there, boy.'

Instead he grinned and asked, "Did you study under a Vulcan, Commander?"

Courtland's blue eyes twinkled. "No, but I thought it might make you feel more at home."

"Very funny."

"I thought so." And to Sulu's surprise, Courtland's left hoof struck the deck three times. This time, he couldn't keep the words from his lips.

"Counting, Mr. Courtland?"

Courtland whinnied again. "Yes, sir," he replied, "Nervous habit around hairless apes."

Sulu startled, then shook his head. "I’m sorry. You must get a lot of that."

"Well, monkey see, monkey do."

Sulu burst into appreciative laughter. "I think we're going to get along just fine, Commander."

Courtland nodded. "And if we don't..." He slowly lowered his head until he was sighting Sulu along the gleaming golden spiral. "I have heard," he commented, his eyes again twinkling, "that you at times require a firm hand on your personal reins." Before Sulu could reply, he went on. "And since the Vulcan imitation didn't do it..." He paused. "Well, rein-holding is traditionally a First Officer's job, despite, in this case, appearances to the contrary."

Sulu chuckled both in acknowledgement of his rather flamboyant reputation and in recognition of the joke. He backed up a step, holding up his hands. "Point, even blunted, taken, Mr. Courtland. I give the reins, appearances notwithstanding, into your hooves."

Courtland smiled, raising his head with another series of whinnies and Sulu realized it was the Equian's way of laughing. He smiled back. They were going to get along just fine.

Jade paced in front of the door to Jilla's cabin. The Drake had docked at San Francisco, which meant Sulu would be leaving very soon, which meant Jilla would be leaving very soon. Jade chided herself for waiting this long, even while understanding her own motivations. Better late than a year from now, she told herself pointedly.

Really? Wouldn't it really be best to wait until you had plenty of time to discuss...

And isn't that exactly why you've waited this long, so you wouldn't have time to discuss anything?

Yes, alright, but I won't let myself get away with it. I am going to talk to her, even if it's only for a few minutes. We can always correspond to continue any discussion we need to have.

Determinedly, Jade pushed the door buzzer. At the soft, "Come," she slid the door open but didn't step into the cabin.

“Jilla, do you have a minute?" she asked.

Jilla looked up from her seat on the bed. Her hands were clasped tightly together. "Barely, Doctor," she replied.

Jade glanced down at her own clasped hands. "I thought, since Sulu wasn't here...”

"Forgive me," Jilla broke in, rising. "I am not myself. Please, come in."

Jade smiled. "Understandable," she said as she accepted the invitation. She took a fortifying breath. "I know this isn't the best of times to bring it up, but I haven't had time before this, and it's very important to me. I wanted to - say - to tell you - before..."

"Yes, Jade?" Jilla stated quietly.

Jade looked around the cabin. "Jim's therapy has been - therapeutic - for me. As much as for him. I've realized a lot of things that I haven't wanted to, and I’m finally beginning to deal with them." She paused, taking a few steps she hoped seemed casual. "There is something - which I can't deal with - alone." She took another breath, resolutely facing the Indiian. "Jilla, I have to - I want to ask your - I need to talk to - "

"Jade," Jilla whispered, her eyes on the deck, "do you really imagine that I do not know, that I have not known all along?"

Jade swallowed. "No, Jilla. But it's time I admitted it."

"That I know, or that you were in love with Selar?"

The truth put so bluntly sent a flood of moisture to Jade's eyes. "Both, I suppose," she managed. She crossed to the bed. "Jilla - I’m sorry. I don't know what to say."

Jilla's gaze came up, meeting hers. "I might have wished someone to grieve with," she said. Her voice was quiet, sad, and not at all accusatory. Jade flushed.

"I know. I - I had thought of it. But I couldn't face it. I couldn't face you."

"Why?"

The question was simple and heartfelt. Jade hung her head. "To be completely honest," she replied, "I didn't want the rejection."

"You never intruded on my marriage," Jilla returned. "I would not have rejected..."

"I don't mean from you."

Jilla tilted her head quizzically. Jade had a sudden urge to scream at her not to do that. It made her look, for all her Indiian coloring, far too Vulcan for Jade's immediate comfort.

"Jilla,” she said instead, turning away from her, "the first two men I had loved had died. Selar was the third. You can't get any more final a rejection."

"His death was an accident."

"Yes, I know that. I understand it now. But you asked why I didn't - grieve with you..."

"No," Jilla interrupted gently. "I meant why did you never face it? Why did you never tell him?"

Jade bit her lip, her head again lowering. "I was going to," she admitted. "But he introduced me to an Indiian child who was his wife."

Silence filled the room. At last Jilla murmured, "I am sorry, Jade."

Jade resolutely brushed tears away, turning again to face Jilla. "I still love him," she said.

"As do I," came the quiet response. Jilla looked up. "Would you like to know..."

"No!" Jade broke in. Then she blushed again, clearing her throat. "Seems I still can't take rejection," she elaborated. Jilla gazed steadily at her. Finally, she clenched her teeth, took a deep breath, and relented. "I said I came here to deal with it, didn't I? Alright, yes. Tell me. Please."

"Selar did not return the - quality - of the emotion," Jilla said, "but he did return the quantity."

Jade swallowed. "What do you mean?"

Jilla's skin brightened. "You are aware of how important kinship bonds are to Vulcans." Jade nodded and Jilla attempted a tentative smile. "Terrans, however, are usually insulted when told they are loved as a sibling."

"He - loved me?" Jade rasped. Jilla nodded. "And you - you've always known...?”

"Yes, Jade."

"I never - wanted to disturb you..."

"That my - Selar was worthy of your affection is hardly disturbing."

Jade glanced sharply at her. "You don't call him 'husband' anymore?"

Jilla glowed brightly. "Please, Jade, I am not..."

"You call Sulu husband."

"It is to Sulu I am bonded."

Jade was suddenly filled with all the righteous indignation she had successfully suppressed during Sulu’s affair with LiLing. She struggled, trying to find something to say that would not be scathing, when Jilla spoke again.

"You are still angry for my betrayal of a man you love and would not want to see betrayed." The Indiian paused. "And would not have so betrayed yourself."

Again the straight-forward truth took Jade aback. "Yes," she said softly. "Yes, I guess I am." She shook her head. "And all this time I thought..."

"Humans habitually lie about their emotions," Jilla returned.

Jade laughed. It was what she herself had told the Indiian during the time a short-circuit in the transporter had made Jilla and Ruth Valley, Sulu, and James all think they were sixteen. It had become a mantra to help Jilla deal with the societal evasions upon which polite Human interactions were based.

"Yes, Jilla," she said, "yes, we do. And I’m sorry it's taken me all this time to remember that Indiians don't."

"I am sorry this has caused you such pain," Jilla replied.

"I think," Jade said, "I’m going to get a lot better now."

"Will you tell Captain Kirk?"

Jade blinked. "Tell him what?'

"What you never told Selar."

For the third time, Jade blushed. "I think that will have to wait until he can be certified completely recovered."

"And how long can you convince yourself that will take?"

Jade scowled, holding up her hand. "I think I've had enough truth for one day."

"As you wish," Jilla demurred.

"Well..." Jade took a breath. "I’m going to miss you, Jilla."

"And I you, although I have not yet really adjusted to your being back."

"We'll keep in touch. I don't want to lose your honesty."

"You simply do not wish too much of it in any one twenty-four hour period."

Jade frowned, but her eyes were smiling. “Nor too much reminder of that fact, Dr. Majiir."

The door to the cabin opened and Sulu raced in with a breathless, "Hon, please tell me you're not..." He stopped, seeing Jade. "...busy. Damn it."

Jade smiled at Jilla's fierce glow. "I was just leaving, Captain." Sulu's sudden grin was very satisfying. "All my good wishes go with you both."

Jilla murmured her thanks, and Jade walked out the door. See, it wasn't that bad after all.

When Jeremy saw Commander Jerel Courtland leaving Sulu's office, he decided that enough was enough. He'd told Sulu nearly half an hour ago that Jilla was waiting. "That man's never gonna take care of his Lady with all these damn distractions," he muttered to himself. He made a decision and went to the main security board in Engineering. Tara had already assigned all the codes over to his voice print. All it would take was a few priority commands to take sure that no one got through to the comm either in Sulu's office or his cabin...

"Whatcha doin' Cobra?" came a sing-song voice behind him. He started, turning.

"Don't sneak up on a man like that, Spike," he said to Ruth Valley.

She grinned. "Who, me?" she replied, and batted her eyelashes innocently.

"Don't give me the virtuous routine either. I knew you when you were a horny racer, remember?"

She leered at him. "I remember."

Jeremy studied her face suspiciously. "But you're far from horny now," he announced.

She giggled. "Yep. I've got the opposite problem." She giggled again, leaving Jeremy with the incongruous question of how one gets come-drunk with a Vulcan. "So whatcha doin'?" Ruth asked again.

"Tryin' to give Leroy and his Lady a chance to share your state of blissful debauchery," he answered, then leered at her. "Wanna help?"

She smiled. "If I remember, the last time we collaborated on a clandestine adventure – at least one not sanctioned by Starfleet - it was a lot more dangerous."

Both memories came quickly; the covert mission to infiltrate the Eden-heads and Flower-Loonies of the Sevrinite cult, and… Jeremy immediately pushed the other away. The last thing he wanted to think of now was the Hunter and Kamikaze. "Yeah," he said, "And at least this will be fun."

"What do you want me to do, Commander?"

Within moments, they were ready to call Sulu's cabin.

"I tried to get here earlier," Sulu said as soon as the door was closed. He quickly crossed to Jilla, taking her in his arms. "Jer told me you wanted to say goodbye to the bed," he whispered.

"The Drake is already docked," Jilla replied, her voice catching. "We are expected at the transporter."

"I know, I know," Sulu scowled, nearly pushing Jilla down on the bed. "But I can't leave you without..."

"Nor can I, but we will be called. And there is - Sulu, there is something I - "

Sulu pulled his tunic over his head, then bent, reaching for her boots. "I know. Jer told me that, too. I've already started the paperwork."

Jilla started to cry. "I cannot bear the thought..."

"Then don't think it." He deftly unfastened her uniform, sitting down to pull off his own boots. “Hon, we've got a year to work on Fleet..."

"It is not Starfleet that concerns..."

"So I'll call First Emperor Thaere myself." Sulu slipped out of his pants, climbing into the bed beside her.

"The Emperor and the Council will not be..."

"Jilla, we can talk about this later. We've only got..."

"But how can we...?"

The comm signaled. Sulu sighed deeply. Jilla's eyes closed in despair, the tears washing out from under them. Sulu reached across the bed, thumbing the switch on the stand. "Sulu," he said tersely.

"Just wanted you to know this comm is gonna be out of commission for, oh, say an hour or so," came Jeremy's deep, jaunty voice. "And I don't think the door's gonna open, either."

"At least it won't in about two minutes," Ruth's voice added.

"You two are just plain stuck in there for a while," Jeremy rejoined. "And I'll personally detain anyone who tries to interrupt."

"And he'll bring ‘em straight to me," Ruth put in. "And you know what a good mood I'm in."

"She's lyin’ through her teeth," Jeremy responded. "She's giddier than... ow!"

"Shut up, Cobra!" Ruth said, then giggled.

"Why don't you both shut up?" Sulu suggested.

"Shutting up, Captain, sir!" they said together.

"And Jer, Spike? Thanks."

"See you in an hour," Ruth returned. "Don't blind him, Jilla. A captain needs to see." The comm went dead and Sulu turned back to Jilla.

"You see? Everything will turn out. I promise."

Jilla's face was streaked with tears. “I am so afraid, my love," she whispered.

Sulu enfolded her in an embrace. "I know. But trust me. I have no intention of leaving you alone."

"But I will be...!"

“Maybe Ruth can pull another stint as the Keheil Communications Company,” he offered, grinning. She looked confused. “Like she did when I was with the Sevrinites,” he reminded. She blushed, even through her tears. "And anyway, it’ll only be till the Nests are done. I'll come for you then, Jilla, one way or another. If we have to resign..."

"Sulu, you cannot!" Jilla cried, pulling away. "This is your life, all you have worked for! How can I ask you to throw it away?"

"You're not asking, I'm offering. And besides, I don't think Fleet's gonna let you get away that easy." He pulled her back into his arms. "And neither am I. So say thank you to Jeremy and let's not waste the hour he and Spike have so thoughtfully purloined for us."

Sulu kissed her, filling his being with all the love and assurance he could. She was still sobbing, but soon her sobs were from joy and arousal and ecstasy.

The transporter room was full to capacity. Scotty was hugging Jilla, still conferring over suggestions for the new engines. Jeremy was saying a very personal goodbye to Tara Ryan. Sulu was talking animatedly with Jerel Courtland. Dr. McCoy had his arm around Ruth's shoulders, obviously giving fatherly advice. Jade stood next to Jim, quietly reassuring. Spock stood in the background, seemingly observing all with calm detachment.

"Shipyards signal ready," Lieutenant Redford said from the control board. Scotty gave Jilla one last hug, then strode to the console.

"Here, lad, let me do that."

Geoff Redford smiled and took a gracious step backward. Sulu left Courtland's side as Jilla moved toward the platform.

"You take care of yourself, hon," he murmured, taking hold of her shoulders.

She nodded, battling the tears in her eyes. "I will," she promised.

"I'll write you every day I can."

"As will I."

"I love you, Jilla. Remember that."

Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around him. He held her tightly until she was able to draw away. Then he kissed her gently, lovingly, and let her go.

Ruth let Spock's eyes across the room. They had agreed to no display of emotion in public, at Ruth's suggestion. She contended it would be hard enough to leave his presence without having to leave his arms as well.

I am always with you, beloved, he thought to her.

I'll dream about you.

Every night, he agreed. Ever and always...

...touching and touched. I won't forget.

I love you, my wife.

I love you, my husband.

Ruth raised two fingers to her lips, kissed them, and held them up to Spock. He raised his hand, two fingers extended, in answer. Abruptly Ruth turned and stepped onto the platform.

"Ready whenever you are," she said brightly, but her eyes were wet with unshed tears.

"Good luck, Miss Valley, Mrs. Majiir," Jim said.

"Take care of my husband!" Ruth returned.

Jim nodded. "Will do, Angel."

That broke Ruth's control, and the tears began falling.

"Energize," Jim said quietly, and golden shimmer took Valjiir from the Enterprise.

"Goodbye, babe," a deep voice said from the doorway. Both Spock and Jeremy turned toward it, Jeremy with a sigh, and Spock with - for an instant - a glare. "Mr. DelMonde?" Jim questioned.

"Jus’ wantin’ to see - them - off, sir," Del replied. Before Jim could comment further, Scotty interrupted.

"The Drake is ready for you, Captain Sulu," he said with a broad grin.

Sulu took a deep breath. "Come on, Commander Courtland, Miss Ryan," he said.

"See ya, Captain," Jeremy said. Sulu smiled, taking the few steps over to him, hugging him fiercely.

"Thanks, Jer. You know what for."

Jeremy shrugged. "Anytime."

"Keep in touch."

"Will do."

"Jer..." Sulu paused, searching Jeremy's face. A nameless emotion welled within him. It wasn't unfamiliar - in fact, he felt the same every time he looked at Jeremy. Yet even as it warmed him - as it always had - there was something about it that startled him. He shook it away, and simply said, "Take care, my friend."

"You too, babe," Jeremy returned quietly. They embraced once more, then Sulu shook Jim's hand, then Scott's, then McCoy's. He stopped in front of Spock.

"Congratulations, Captain," Spock said. "I wish you nothing but success."

"Thank you, Commander," Sulu replied. He swallowed, then raised his hand in proper Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Spock."

Spock's eyes softened in a smile as he returned the gesture. "Peace, Sulu, and long life." His voice deepened, and he added, almost inaudibly, "Lrn'an."

Sulu smiled, a warm, heartfelt acknowledgement. “Lrn'an," he repeated, then clasped Spock's right forearm. Spock's eyebrows rose in his own profound expression of emotion. His right hand completed the action by closing around Sulu's forearm.

"Until we meet again, my friend," Spock said. Sulu nodded, then turned and walked to the transporter pads,

"Energize," he said.

When the shimmer had cleared, Jim turned to Spock. "What was all that about?" he asked. To his surprise, it was Jade who answered.

"Spock called Sulu his brother," she said, then broke into quiet weeping.

"Jade, are you alright?"

She smiled, brushing away the tears. "Yes, James. I’m fine now." She glanced at him. "Remind me to explain sometime how important kinship is to Vulcans."

"I have a feeling," Jim said, glancing at Noel DelMonde, then at Spock, then at Jeremy Paget, "that I'll be doing a lot of 'reminding' in the next year."

He straightened, rubbing his hands together. "Well, people, what are we standing around here for? We have a ship to run."

The observation room of the shipyards was dark. Jilla had immediately been descended upon by over-eager engineers who whisked her away to be fitted for an environ suit so she could get up to 'the action' as soon as possible. Scientists being a bit more sane than that, Ruth was left to get her gear stowed and make all the official 'we're here' reports. She had had a moment of panic, seeing all those red shirts coming at her, remembering that Del was assigned to San Fran. Jilla had been able to tell her that no, Noel DelMonde was reassigned to the Enterprise for the duration. Ruth sent a blast of I told you NOT to not tell me things! at Spock, who was appropriately apologetic, pointing out that she couldn't really have expected him to do anything else, considering it was DelMonde. She agreed, and was so overjoyed that Spock really was still with her that she forgot her anger. She'd made her way to the observation portal, studying the hulls of the new ships. They were beautiful, more stream-lined than the Enterprise even though about fifty percent bigger. "I think I’m going to like you," she told them. Then a graceful movement caught her eye, the Drake maneuvering away from the docks. She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. Goodbye, Roy. Take care. See you in a year. She searched for the Enterprise, saw her just beginning her departure.

Ever and always...

...touching and touched. Farewell, beloved.

Farewell, my love.