Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. If you haven't figured that out yet, I'm ashamed of you.

Author's notes: I am soooooo sorry I haven't updated. I hope you haven't given up on me. tear I have been struggling under a stinking mountain of homework, soccer and band. 4 AP classes can get to you. I have also been busy with Prom, getting ready for graduation and college stuff.

Also, this is my last chapter for this story, so now is the time for people to review and suggest ideas they might want me to write about. Now, on with the story!

Zandile and Data appeared on the transporter pad on Enterprise to a sleepy, but happy reception of the senior officers and Zarin. They had transported aboard after following Captain Picard's suggestion and erasing all traces of their presence on the alien ship and setting its autopilot to go back from whence it came.

Zarin rushed forward and grabbed Zandile in a hug. "I missed you so much," he whispered in her ear.

At the same time, Dr. Crusher gave Zandile a once over with her medical tricorder. "You're coming with me, Lieutenant." Dr. Crusher said, and without further ado, she steered Zandile out the door toward the turbolift with Zarin trailing behind.

Dr. Crusher was nearly finished healing Zandile's concussion and various cuts and scrapes. She had praised Zandile's healing of her burn injury, when she could get in a word edgewise from Zarin's relieved caresses and comments. When Captain Picard came in, Zarin shut up and allowed others to talk. "I got a full report from Data, Lieutenant, but I still wanted to see how you were." Said Captain Picard.

"I feel fine, now. My injuries weren't all that bad," said Zandile, embarrassed that the captain was so concerned over nothing.

"I beg to differ," interrupted Dr. Crusher. "You had a pretty serious concussion. A human could have been brain damaged." Zarin blanched at the thought, while Zandile raised an eyebrow. "However," she continued, "Vulcan brains usually heal themselves completely after even worse injuries."

"Well, I am glad everyone is OK. I will report to Starfleet Command and recommend commendations on both of your records." Said Captain Picard. He paused to yawn, and then said, "Perhaps we should all go to bed."

Dr. Crusher, who had been awakened when the lost away team came home, yawned, too. She nodded in assent, followed by the murmured agreement of Zarin and Zandile. Everyone left Sickbay together and went their separate ways, except Zarin, who walked Zandile to her quarters.

There was a comfortable silence during the turbolift ride to Zandile's quarters. Finally, as the doors swished open to let them out, Zarin gently grabbed Zandile's hand, cleared his throat and quickly let our what he was trying to say. "When I saw the shuttlecraft going down on the viewscreen, I realized something… I love you, Zandile."

Zandile raised her eyebrows in surprise, and then smiled. "When we crashed on that planet, I regretted that I wouldn't see you again. I love you, too."

They stopped for a goodnight kiss outside of Zandile's door. A few moments later, though, they were interrupted by a shriek. "Zandile! You're alive! Oh, I missed you!" Lynette, dressed in a nightgown, burst through the door and wrapped Zandile in a bear hug before either of them knew she was coming.

Zandile looked over her sister's shoulder and smiled shyly at Zarin, who merely grinned back, said goodnight at strolled away, whistling.

The next morning, Data and Zandile made a full report to the Captain and the other senior officers. After the briefing, Zarin, who had attended because he had been a participant, pulled Zandile aside. He dragged her gently to the turbolift with a grin on his face. Zandile laughed and followed.

They ended up outside the holodeck, where Zarin blocked the program display screen as he opened the program to his specifications. When the doors swished open, a waterfall and a picnic awaited. "The food is real, I had Lynette set is up for us."

"It's beautiful, Zarin," whispered Zandile in awe of the vista. Part of her knew it was a simulation based upon some real place, somewhere, but a much larger part of her was amazed at Zarin's unexpected romantic gesture. She sat on the blanket that had been spread out at the bottom of the waterfall, next to the lake it poured into.

They enjoyed a leisurely meal of sandwiches and fruit. Zarin seemed nervous throughout the picnic, but had managed to shield his thoughts from Zandile. By dessert, when he pulled a box of chocolates out of the picnic basket, Zandile had guessed what he was doing. She smiled as she opened the box, thinking that there would be jewelry inside it, but it was only chocolate.

But, while she was distracted, Zarin handed her a beautiful red rose. She smiled again. "A rose pales in comparison to your beauty, Zandile," said Zarin as he presented it to her. "But it will have to do." She smelled the rose, and, as she looked down into the petals, something gold gleamed out of the middle of the petals. Zarin got on his knees as Zandile pulled a beautiful ring out of the rose petals. "I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I love you. Will you do the honor of being my wife?"

He waited breathlessly as Zandile thought, but only briefly. A grin broke across hr face and she put on the ring. "Nothing would make me happier."

The Beginning

Well there you have it people. The last chapter. Again, I apologize a million times for making you wait soooo long. Please review!