Chapter 1

"What do you mean a month?!" came B'ellanna's distressed cry.

"Be, it's only one month, not a year, and Voyager really need these supplies." Tom replied, guarding his face from B'ellana in fear of being hit by turning around again.

"But I'm going to be all alone, no one to cuddle at night and no one to ask me how my day was and actually listen" B'ellanna faded out realising how pathetic she must sound.

B'ellanna sat down on the edge of Tom's bed, with her arms crossed and head facing away. Tom sat down next to her and placed a gentle kiss on her head.

"It's only one month Be, and we can still talk over the comm line"

"I know but I'm going to… to.."

B'ellanna faded out, embarrassed about what she was going to say.

"Going to what Be?" Tom asked puzzled.

B'ellanna leaned into Tom's warm chest and wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed deeply, noticing his lover's distress, he wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her into his warm embrace.

"Be, I've never seen you this upset, what are you so worried about?"

"It's just, I've never felt what I feel for you for anyone else, ever. I love you so much Tom, I just don't like the thought of being away from you for so long, or losing you…"

B'ellanna began to sob into Tom's chest as her words sank in.

"Be, you're the most precious thing in this world to me, I love you more than anyone or anything, it's just a trade mission, I'll be fine, do you really think I'd go if there was any chance I'd get in danger. I hate the fact that it's going to be for a month, but I did it for us."

B'ellanna dried her face with her sleeve and looked up at him curiously, while Tom looked down and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"What do you mean you did it for us?"

"I mean, the Captain said, if this mission goes well, we will have enough spare resources we will be able to move into that double quarters we have been nagging her for."

Tom looked down at the joy in his lovers face as a smile appeared across her face, she leaned into and gave him a long, passionate kiss before breaking off and standing up.

"What time do you have to be at Cargo Bay 1 for?

"0900 hours, so we have about half an hour, do you want to help me pack?"

"I might as well, I don't have anything better to do" Came B'ellanna's reply as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss Tom, who mockingly leaned up on his. Fortunately for B'ellanna she was stood near the edge of the bed, she quickly put her foot on it, standing up so she was taller than him, and grabbing him, pulling him down with her as she fell. They landed in each other's arms on the bed, knocking the suitcase off. They both jumped as it hit the floor, then laughed in unison. Tom looked into B'ellanna's eyes and his face suddenly turned serious.

"Be?"

"Yes?" She said while manoeuvring herself up on top of him so she could nuzzle into his chest.

"I..I love you so much, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you know that right?" She lifted her chin and rested her head on his chest.

"I always have, Tom" She said truthfully, looking into his eyes, "I feel the same way about you" She rolled off his chest, and stood up.

"We had better get you finished packing and down to Cargo Bay 1, eh?" She chirped enthusiastically. Tom stood up, straightening out his uniform, and picking up all the dropped items from the floor.

After finishing packing his items he zipped up his suitcase, pulled out the handle and rolled it across to the door where B'ellanna was waiting for him.

"You ready Flyboy?" She said mockingly.

"You bet" Tom replied, "You had better start moving all our stuff into those new quarters while I'm away" Tom said with a slight hint of teasing in his voice, watching the glimmer in his partners eyes grow.

"Oh I will" B'ellanna responded, finding Tom's hand and slipping hers into his, Tom's hand closed over hers and they headed out of the door towards the turbo lift.

After reaching the turbo lift and listening to the doors hiss shit, Tom's voice broke the calm silence as he inputted the data required.

"Deck 8"

The turbo lift hummed as it made its way to the inputted location, still holding Tom's hand she leaned into his strong chest and smiled, realising her life was now perfect, finally on track. As the doors to the turbo lift opened, the two walked out hand in hand and made their way along the corridor in silence, greeting friends and shipmates as they went, content in each other company until they reached the Cargo Bay, as the doors opened, the quiet serenity of the corridor was broken by the loud sounds coming from various crewmates.

"Tom, great, ok that's everyone, you were last so sadly you get the last choice of bunk, but I think Harry might have saved you a top one, go and put your stuff in the shuttle." Chakotay didn't wait for a reply, he turned to Neelix and asked for an inventory list who muttered, as Tom and B'ellanna, walked into the shuttle.

"I'm going to miss you so much Babe" B'ellanna said as she watched Tom put all his stuff into his giving storage space.

"I know, I'm going to miss you more" Tom said teasingly.

"No, I'm going to miss you more" B'ellanna said feircly.

Chakotay came up behind them, making both jump in shock.

"No time for any No You Hang Up first games, we need to go, I'll leave you too your good byes." The commander said, leaving the shuttle and rounding everyone one up.

"You'd better get to the helm, Flyboy" B'ellanna said, leaning in for a long kiss, wrapping her arms around Tom's neck, making everyone feel slightly awkward as they entered the shuttle.

"Come on you too, we need to get going." Chakotay said, being completely blanked, he got up and pulled the two apart.

"You've had long enough for long goodbyes, now it's time to go" The commanding officer made his way back to his controls at the front of the shuttle as Tom walked to the door with B'ellanna.

"I love you, Be, I'll be back soon, don't be too worried" Tom said with a smile.

"I love you too, when you get back our new quarter will be ready for us, I promise" B'ellanna said backing out of the door and walking away as Tom closed the hatch.

"Let's go" Chakotay said, as everyone took their correct positions.

The shuttle started up as the Cargo Bay doors hissed open and the shuttle took off.