"You're back!" she cried joyfully, rushing into his arms.
"Of course I'm back." He chuckled gently, slightly amused and more than a little bit touched by the enthusiasm with which she was greeting him. "You didn't think I'd stay there on that awful planet, did you?"
"No, of course not." She'd let go of him now and was worriedly wringing her hands at the thought of what could have happened. "You see that...ever since Jack..."
She couldn't finish. He knew why. The loss of her husband, and his good friend, all those years ago still weighed heavily on his mind as well.
"I'll always come back to you, Beverly." His voice was tender as he took her into his arms. "Please don't worry so about me."
"I'm afraid I just can't help it...sometimes."
He smiled. "Come to Ten Forward with me and have a drink. You'll feel better then."
He took her hand, and they walked the short distance to the lounge together.