Chapter 1

Chakotay looked down at the ground as a tear dropped from his eye and fell to the ground.

"How could this be happening?" he asked himself

He knew he had to regain his composure if he was going to face the crew. He was their only source of strength since the captain had been gone. Three months. Three long depressing months without her encouraging smile everyday. She had only gone down to a planet for negotiations, and of course Tuvok had to come along. They were not heard from until three days later when the shuttle appeared on our sensors with one weak life form aboard. Tuvok was unconscious, and was in critical condition. Tuvok told how as soon as they arrived they escorted himself and Captain Janeway into a room. He said that was the last time he saw her. Seven went down to the planet, to find her but they hadn't heard from her in months either. Right now he feared the worse. He dreadfully missed he touches that would drive him crazy. But he knew he would have to be a role model for the crew.

"Be strong" he whispered to himself.

As he was leaving his quarters a familiar sound stopped him.

" Kim to Chakotay"

"Go ahead" he spoke out, hiding his sadness and regaining his confident tone.

" Commander, we have located Seven's Combadge signal."

His heart started to pump, faster and faster. He wanted to scream out in joy but instead he showed his small smile.

"I'll be on the bridge in a minute, Ensign. Chakotay out"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the end of the shift the whole ship knew of the good news. From the mess hall to the holodecks, the whole ship was rejoicing.

"I can't believe after all this time we may have found her." Tom said

"Don't get your hopes up yet. But this is the only lead we've got."

B'Elanna replied.

Sudden footsteps were heard in the other room. A little toddler ran through the living room with a teddy bear in hand. Tom scooped her up and placed her on the couch.

"What have you been up to?" Tom asked as Miral played with her teddy bear.

"D-drawing a picture."

"Can I see it?" B'Elanna asked. Miral ran into the room and brought out a piece of paper and a black crayon.

"I'm not done."

"Oh ok sweetie, show me when you're done." Tom said to his daughter, then left her to draw.

"She misses her too Tom, she misses them both."

"It's hard on everyone, first the Captain, then Seven. You know when she first came aboard I never thought she'd ever fit in with the crew, but she's been with us almost 8 years now, and I can't imagine a day with out her. I know I always complain about how she just annoying but, she has been really made an impact on me and a big impact on this ship, I just hope I get a chance to tell her how I feel."

"You will, how you think I feel about the Captain missing. She's the only one who was willing to take a leap of faith and give me a second chance." There was silence for a while; the only noise heard was the faint scraping of wax against Miral's drawing.

Finally B'Elanna spoke up. "Chakotay is taking this really hard. He won't open up to anyone any more. He's just putting on a strong face for the crew, but he's empty inside. After he and Seven broke up they remained good friends and they were closer then ever before. When the Captain and he got together, Seven and him where still very much good friends. I don't know if I could handle it if I lost you and Harry at the same time. My-God, Tom, what if she doesn't come back, what if-"

"We will, trust me, we'll find a way. Look I- they will both be back safe and sound soon."

Swiftly B'Elanna kissed her husband once on the lips tenderly.

"You had better not ever leave me." She whispered to him.

"Don't worry; I would be too scared to. Who knows what you would do to be if I ever came back."

She kissed him again, longer then the first.

"I love you"

"I love you, too"