He was crushed. Devastated, if he was being brutally honest with himself. He couldn't believe that she had left. That she didn't want him, didn't want to be in space any longer.

That's no surprise. She never made a secret of how much she disliked space. Or how much of a trial it was for her to leave Earth… She did make great strides, though… I was just hoping that she would change her mind, and I wouldn't have to make a choice.

He sighed. It wasn't me that she didn't want. She told me that she loved me… She just didn't want a life here. She's stayed longer than she planned…waiting on me.

Throwing himself down on his bed, he closed his eyes. Stupid and selfish, that's how you're acting. You're old enough to know that you can't have it all. It was pretty low of me to ask her to marry me when I'm not willing to consider leaving the Enterprise.

I can't leave the Enterprise…

8 Months Later

Hoshi was warm once more, and relatively happy, but short on sleep. Hoshi had given birth two months ago, and the baby was growing like a little weed. The university in Brazil had been happy to have her back, and she had found them a small hacienda near campus. She had also arranged her classes so that she could have the baby with her. She didn't feel comfortable being apart from her child just yet. The liveliest parts of their weeks were the days when her mother came to visit from Osaka.

Hoshi grimaced when she thought of her mother. At least she's stopped pestering me about the identity of the baby's father and marriage.

It was Saturday, and she was enjoying a quiet day alone with her little one. Halfway through the baby's morning nap, and Hoshi's fourth cup of coffee, a knock came at the door. She set down her cup, wondering who it could be. Hoshi hadn't been expecting any visitors. When she opened the door, she stepped back in shock.

He was here. He had come.

Regaining her composure, she stepped out into the courtyard and closed the door behind her. Turning to face him, she opened her mouth, but he cut her off before she could say a word.

"Why did you leave?" His voice was raw, his face haggard.

"You know why. I couldn't take it anymore—being in space, flying in a tin can, the constant danger…not having you." She couldn't meet his eyes. She turned and looked off into the courtyard, fighting for composure.

He put a hand on her shoulder, and she jerked away, tears coming to her eyes.

Damn these hormones! Why can't this be simple!?

He was frustrated. He had traveled millions of miles to be here, to find her. He had gone months with no word of her or from her. Not even a "Hi, arrived safely back at Earth." He had spent months keeping his frustration bottled up—there hadn't been anyone he could confide in. And then, there had been Phlox's cryptic remarks. The doctor had kept saying something about watching where people put their hands and pans of pebbles.

And now, Hoshi was clearly unhappy and angry. Taking a deep breath, he began again.

"I've left Starfleet."

"WHAT!?" Her voice raised an octave, her eyes wide. "You actually left?"

He reached for her hand. "I realized after you left that my life onboard had become pretty shallow and meaningless. I'd already done everything that I had set out to do." He paused again, looking down, and said in softer tones, "I realized that everything I wanted left on that transport. I put in my resignation right after that, then spent the last few months dealing with the backlash and red tape.

"You know they couldn't let me go without a fight." He chuckled, looking at her. "I informed them that keeping one of the heroes of the Xindi Affair captive in Starfleet would probably be bad for their image." He smiled. "No one wanted to deal with the reporters."

Hoshi sank down on a bench, and he joined her, finally capturing her hand in his. Rubbing it, he said, "I want to finish what I started on Risa. Hoshi, mar-"

Once again, she stopped him with a finger on his lips. Pulling her hand away, she rose and went back into the house. He was confused. What now? He gazed out into the courtyard, trying to collect his thoughts.

Several minutes later, he felt her hand on his arm, and he turned.

Without a word, Hoshi lowered a bundle into his arms. "Before you finish that statement, I want you to meet someone…" She unwrapped the top of the blanket to expose a tiny face with Asian features. "Meet…your son…" She trailed off as the baby yawned and opened his eyes.

They were bright green.