Tony's voice rang out in his mind as he headed to the launch for Annapolis. You're a stupid man Tony Piccolo. Tony shook his head. He wasn't stupid. Lonnie said so. Lonnie. She was the first girl who ever seemed to really care about him, and she was taken. By Commander Ford of all people. The man had looks, talent, and a brain. Tony had thought for a minute, or two, that maybe he'd have a chance. After all, she went on a date with Tim, and he was definitely better looking than O'Neil. And less likely to call a woman vapid- and not just because he wasn't exactly sure what that meant. Guess he was wrong. When he told her that he thought the world of her he meant it. She was everything a guy could ask for.

It's hard to describe her; I don't know she's different. She seems to know what I'm thinkin. Alright, sure she's beautiful but, it's more than that. Sometimes she even knows what I'm gonna say before I say it, it's like there's this magical connection. Like maybe we knew each other some other time, some other place, like were supposed to be together.

Maybe it was true. The part about another time, another place. Maybe if they hadn't gone to Hyperion, her and Ford wouldn't have bonded they way they did.

If they hadn't gone to Hyperion.

If they hadn't gone to Hyperion, Lucas would still be civilian science personnel and Tony would still be the ranking officer. He wouldn't feel motivated to become better. And even if he had… Lonnie only took the officer's exam after Hyperion; she wouldn't have been able to help him study. Maybe they would have both eventually become officers, but the need to make up ten years of their lives wouldn't be there, and they mighta taken their time.

Maybe they weren't supposed to be together. Or maybe Lonnie and the Commander wouldn't last, and Tony would get a shot- he didn't know. One thing he did know was that he owed Lucas an apology for some bad advice. Put a pillow over your lap, you'll muffle the voices.

Tony wished it were that easy.

Author's Note: The italics are from "And Everything Nice" when Lucas is running off with Sandra Kirby, except the part about Tony being stupid – that's from the third season, something Tony tells himself in the mirror when he is trying to learn the officer stuff.