Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I'm just having fun with them! I am not making any profit of this...It's for entertainment purposes only. (Since Lt. Hogan was never given a first name, I decided to name him Paul) Note: This is my first fanfic, so it might not be that great. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!! :-)

Volcanoes erupted all around them on the geothermically active planet. Lt. Paul Hogan pointed to a ledge on the rocky edge of a nearby mountain. He shouted above all the noise.

"Up there!! It's our only hope of survival!!"

Hogan helped the limping Tal Celes to the base of the small rocky mountain. The two Junior officers began climbing the rough rock. Lava lapped at the base of the small mountain, and this hissing of melting rock could be heard.

Hogan and Celes climbed onto a narrow ledge and clung to each other for dear life.

"Celes!!" Hogan shouted. If we ever make it out of here, will you marry me!!"

Celes looked deeply into his eyes as he tightened his arm around the slim Bajoran's waist. She began forming a response with her mouth, when a sudden burst from a nearby volcano lodged a chunk of rock in her forehead. Celes murmured Hogan's name, then he watched the light go out of her eyes forever. He laid her motionless body down on the ledge, his eyes misted with tears. His cries rang above all of the noise, as a familiar blue transporter beam surrounded him and Celes's body.

On the ship

Hogan sat at his usual place in the mess hall, only there was now an empty chair next to him with nobody to occupy it. B'elanna Torres had tried to approach him several times, but knew it was no use. He had stopped talking, and he barely ate. His dinner sat getting cold as he stared out into the vastness of space, and in his mind re-lived all the events that occured.....The ledge.... the noise...... watching Celes die.... her body.....

In the real world Hogan could hear someone screaming. But when he snapped back into the present, He realized it was him. B'elanna was shaking him, almost violently,

"Hogan.... HOGAN!!!!"

He immediately stopped screaming, and saw many curious faces around the room staring at him in surprise. He wiped the tears from his eyes, then calmly got up from the table. He said but one word to Torres... a very sincere "Goodbye."

Hogan's Quarters

Hogan awoke from his two hour nap, still not having the answers he seeked. Why her? She was the best damn woman he had ever met, and he wasn't sure if he could ever love again. He realized that she was Starfleet and he was former Maquis, but it made no difference to him. Celes was different than all the others. Hogan saw her dead body again in his mind, but stifled a scream.

Instead, he walked into the bathroom and grabbed a razor blade. After rolling up the sleeve of his uniform, he pressed the blade firmly against his wrist. Blood oozed from the cuts. Pain. Physical and emotional pain. And his blade was getting dull.

Hogan staggered over to a table and picked up his phaser. Set to kill. He couldn't live like this any longer, not without Crewman Tal. He aimed the phaser against his chest and fired it.

He'd be with her again.