Just when we were beginning to adjust to the turn of things. Just when I was beginning to accept how things had changed. Just when I had begun to accept their marriage. Just when Seven had begun not to need to regenerate.
This happens.
Today I lost a valued member of this crew.
And my best friend lost his wife.
I have lost several crewmembers over the years that this journey has taken us. Until now the worst I had to face was the killing of Joe Carey. Engineering still misses his expertise. With his death and then B'Elanna being literally forced into maternity leave sometime later, engineering relied on the knowledge of Seven.
Astrometrics has been left in the capable hands of Icheb, who seems quite determined to teach Naomi all that he can.
But now, with the loss of another valued member, engineering is sadly lacking.
I could spend the time there. But right now I am needed on the bridge.
And to comfort my best friend.
At this moment I would give anything to have landed on an M-Class planet and settled several months ago. And then this might not have happened.
It's his grief that gets to me most of all. It is now evident that he cared so much about her. I feel ashamed for ever doubting their relationship.
I recall that kind of grief. It is one that gets to you, keeps at you for days, weeks, months even. I had my sister and a stray pup to wake me out of it. Who does he have? Just a sorry excuse for a best friend who might quite possibly remind him of the things he could never have.