Dr. Mark Zimmerman leaned back in his chair. His duty shift ended in one hour and thirty five minutes. But his big task for the morning was done. It was a good feeling to have completed such a monumental task. The Federation Journal of Medical Research had already accepted his outline. He and Denara had finished the actual article last month, but he'd been tweaking it ever since. He would send it out in the next datastream. It still needed to be peer reviewed (though he doubted they had any reviewers that were his equal) then it would be published-probably early next year. It would be a first for any journal in the Alpha Quadrant-a joint research project involving researchers from the Delta Quadrant. Dr. Denara Pel was listed as lead researcher.

There was another chuckle from across the room.

"Your sister must tell some amusing stories," Zimmerman said.

"Huh?" His colleague, Dr. Zeke Brown asked. "Oh. I'm sorry. She's describing the most recent antics of my nieces."

"Carolyn and Annabelle, the twins."

"Yes, apparently they tried to switch classes, again. As it was the third time in a month, the teachers caught on very quickly." Dr. Brown smiled as he glanced back down at his PADD. "I don't like the wait between datastream transmissions. A month just seems like such a long time. And Voyager 1 went without any contact with home for six years."

Mark acknowledged the comment with a quick nod of his head as Zeke continued to speak. "Jonny finally found time to write. He's working with survivors of the Cardassian Work camps."

"Jonny?" Mark didn't remember Zeke ever mentioning anyone named Jonny. Zeke's face turned sad.

"John Dillon. He's a pediatric psychiatrist. He's been working with Bajoran children for almost five years. It's put a real strain on our relationship. It's the other reason I took this assignment. We would see each other once, maybe twice a year. I wanted a chance to think about us." Zeke shook his head. "We've been together since we met in Medical School. It's just our paths are taking us separate directions. And you? You mentioned you heard from your sister."

His sister. Hailey (or Hayley) that woman really needed to decide on how to spell her name. Next thing you know, she'd be spelling it Hajlei. "Hailey is doing well. She has discovered she likes to travel."

Zeke smiled "Good for her. Well, I need to prepare for the away team mission tomorrow. Thanks for letting me go on this one."

Mark nodded. He'd wanted to go, but he knew that the letter he would write next would be difficult-and anyway, he shouldn't hog all the missions.

He waited for the door to swish close behind his colleague, before he opened his last letter.

YOU WHAT?

I had to read that damn letter three times before I finally realized you had had some sort of cascading memory failure. Why would any sane hologram want to stay in the Delta Quadrant? You're future is here. I mean in the Alpha Quadrant. Your sister is galavanting around the galaxy with Barclay-and Leonard is feeling lonely. He claims I don't rub his belly enough.

Enough of that. What will you do with yourself in the Delta Quadrant? Oh wait. You're staying to be with that woman. I read your outline. That's why I asked about that woman. She is listed first. I'd wondered at the time, but this recent nonsense confirms my worst suspicions.

Take an extended leave of absence. Now that that ridiculous governor of yours is gone, you probably could ask for an extended assignment on the colony world. But why are you also thinking of resigning from Starfleet? Its a bureaucratic mess these days, just look at what we had to do when they tried to take your holo-emitter. But you are also the one who could help fight the mess.

I know, I know, you are just thinking about resigning. I think it is a stupid idea. Right now, you and Hailey (yes, I spell the name the "old" way) are the only "sentient" holograms out there.

I know you probably are considering all this. I have not mentioned anything to Hailey, since despite her infatuation with Barclay, you are her "big brother." I will let you tell her of your choice and why.

Though she may consider herself so much in love with Barclay, that she'll just squeal when she learns it is because of a woman.

I hate it when she squeals,

Lewis Zimmerman.

Mark closed the letter. Lewis was right, if he chose to stay in the Delta Quadrant, Hailey would be the one who would be hurt the most. With Governor Shuba Diaza out of office, he knew a position on the colony would be more tolerable. He would be able to continue working with Denara on her research...their research.

Her team was amazing. They worked well together, and were quite eager to work with him.

Unlike some of Voyager's crew. There were still a few who refused to have him treat him. Ensign Brach was the most outrageous. He'd waited for three hours with a broken wrist, rather than let Mark fix it. Dr. Brown had just looked at the ensign, then shook his head. "I can fix a broken wrist, but I can't fix stupid." The ensign was still in physical therapy and quite possibly would be for the rest of their time in the Delta Quadrant.

Then Janeway had learned of the incident. While Ensign Brach hadn't been fed bread and water-that might have been a better option. Brach still wouldn't let Mark treat him, but there was now a negative review in his file.

Dear Hailey,

He stopped. He'd worry about which spelling to use, later. Voyager was only going to stay in orbit around New Earth a few days after dropping the away team with Dr. Brown on class L planet with potential dilithium and other ores. If he was going to spend that time with Denara and her team, he needed to finish the monthly reports.