A/N: Some of the dialogue in this chapter is taken from Blue Heelers episode "Be Prepared". And the incident with B'Elanna referenced in both chapters (but more specifically here) occurred in the Voyager episode "Nightingale". I also see their relationship as being very similar in dynamic to Dax and Worf so you may notice some parallels with the DS9 episode "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" too.

Icheb hadn't been this nervous around Naomi since the night they changed the nature of their relationship.

The new level of intimacy between them should have bolstered his nerves, but all he could think about was the time he'd gotten things so spectacularly wrong with B'Elanna. Fortunately, she'd had the grace to not only forgive his blunder, but to never allude to it again.

This time, however, the stakes were too high and he couldn't risk making a mistake. Not when Naomi had come to mean more to him than he'd ever thought possible.

He'd always been fond of her, but that fondness had blossomed into something much more profound and he was beyond grateful that she felt the same way.

At least, he thought she did.

Since they'd come to an understanding, Naomi had lost a level of restraint that he never realised existed between them and was much more open in her affection. Likewise, he no longer shied away from initiating physical contact for fear it would be unwelcome and was less prone to weighing his words.

But for all that, there was still a level of uncertainty to their relationship that he wasn't comfortable with. An uncertainty that he hoped to put to rest this evening.

"You're awfully quiet."

Naomi's voice brought Icheb abruptly back to the present where they were standing on a balcony, looking out across the bay. Naomi had turned slightly in his arms to look up at him quizzically and he smiled down at her.

"I would hardly be described as 'social'," he observed.

Naomi rolled her eyes as she turned her attention back to the view, "You know what I mean."

He rested his cheek on the top of her head as she leaned back in his embrace, "I was thinking."

"Oh?"

"About us."

He felt Naomi tense slightly, "Sounds serious."

"It is," he confirmed, "Naomi…we can't go on like this."

This time Naomi not only stiffened, she actually stepped out of his embrace and moved closer the balcony railing. "I see," she said after a moment.

Any other time, Icheb would have noticed her distress and backed off, but this time he was too caught up in his own anxiety and ploughed on regardless. "I…I don't like the uncertainty of continuing to 'see where this goes'," he explained, "I know where I would like it to go and…"

He broke off with a sigh and came to join her at the railing, "Naomi Wildman, will you marry me?"

She beamed up at him in surprised delight, "Yes."

"I know this may be a little sudden," he continued, as though she hadn't spoken, "but I can't imagine my life without you and-" He stopped and stared at her, "Did you say 'yes'?"

"Yes," she repeated seriously, resting her hands lightly on his chest, "of course I will marry you," she added, reaching up to peck him lightly on the lips.

She suppressed a giggle at his dumbfounded expression, "Icheb, anyone would think you thought I was going to say no," she teased.

He blinked, "It was always a possibility," he replied, returning her smile as he slipped his arms around her waist.

She shook her head, "Never."

He raised an eyebrow, "Never?"

"I told you that you'd be stuck with me forever," she reminded him, sliding her hands over his shoulders to lace them loosely behind his head. She shrugged a shoulder, "Now it's official."

Icheb's lips twitched, "Hm, 'forever'…maybe I should have thought this through."

"Too late," Naomi quipped as she pulled his head down for a kiss.

"I love you," he breathed as they broke apart.

Naomi smiled up at him, her eyes shining, "And I love you."

He smiled as he bent to kiss again, only to pull back abruptly in a panic, "I forgot to give you the ring!" he exclaimed, breaking out of her embrace and searching his pockets for the item in question.

This time Naomi couldn't suppress her giggles and he stopped his search, looking a little sheepish, "I ruined the moment, didn't I?"

"Maybe a little," she admitted with a small smile.

"I'm sorry," he told her, pulling her close once more, "I just…wanted it to be perfect, I guess."

Naomi's smile widened as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Well, luckily for you, I don't require perfection." Her smile turned into a wicked grin, "I've known you long enough to know not to expect it."

Icheb chuckled in spite of himself, "I'm grateful for your forbearance."

Any response Naomi would have given was lost as Icheb reclaimed the moment and kissed her.