She knew that this time would come, she just regretted it. Hated to have to stand there and watch as he slipped from her grasp, she tried everything in her power to stop him from leaving, but as his hand released hers, she knew that he was gone. And she… she was truly alone.

Her heart seared from the pain, the hole in her chest grew. There was no way to stop it. His life slowly ebbing away, as if it was her worst nightmare come true. She knew this had to be a dream, she tried to wake up, tried desperately to wake him. But he was gone. She fell on top of his body, sobbing, wishing that he were there to hold her, to massage her neck, to wipe away her tears, but he wasn't. She looked at the watch that lay beside him. It was her birthday present. She picked it up. Both hands were smashed against its silver face; time had stopped, at least for a moment.

She looked up to see them, looking at her, Harry, Tom, B'Elanna, they were there, they took him away, they took her from him. The rain fell in sheets as they carried his body back for the memorial service. She tried to speak, but she couldn't, there were no words to express how she loved him, how she needed him. But her cries were unanswered. She wept for him, for so many nights, till the tears would flow no more. She tried not to think of him, but every time she walked on the bridge, she knew that she would never see his smile again. And yet it seemed that he was still there. His scent was still in her quarters, his clothes still on his bed, his smile still in her mind.

He was there, at least in her memories, and she knew that she wasn't alone.