One week after the chess game found Elizabeth on a little used observation deck, looking out into space. The ship had dropped out of hyperspace between galaxies a few hours ago. She looked down at the note in her hand.

Elizabeth –

We will be doing engine repairs and diagnostics for the next day or so. It's normal while the ship is still within range of Earth. At the end of the main corridor on Deck 2 is a small observation deck, if you want to see where we are.

Steven

That found her here. She had no part in the running of the ship, she wouldn't be missed. She'd taken Steven's advice and now stood gazing out at the stars, new constellations few else from Earth would ever see.

Since she was a child, Elizabeth had always loved to look at the stars. The constellations and the stories behind them had fascinated her. As she grew older, her time to look at the stars had diminished. But never had she dreamed she would one day fly among them, and have this type of opportunity.

She sighed and leaned against the railing, lost in thought and staring at the cosmos laid out before her, until she felt another person next to her. Turning her head slightly, she found Steven smiling at her. A smile snuck onto her face as well.

"What?" He kept smiling, and moved to stand behind her, slipping his hands around her waist.

"I've never seen you looking that dreamy before. It just isn't something I expected from you." Elizabeth leaned back against him and neither spoke again for a while, both now watching the stars. After an indeterminable amount of time, Steven broke the silence.

"Will you ever be coming back to Earth?" Of all the questions Elizabeth wasn't sure she was ready or able to answer, he had to ask that one. Taking a deep breath she continued staring out at the stars while she spoke.

"I don't know," he didn't say anything, just waited for her to gather her courage. Something in the way he held her was telling her to trust him. "I left behind a lot," she began, choosing her words carefully. "I know you've heard the rumors but I don't know what you've heard. When I came on board, I definitely had no intention of returning." Steven gently turned her around and brought his hand up so that their gazes met.

"I hope you change your mind." Her resolve was washing away as she stared into his warm chocolate eyes. He wanted her to come back. He wanted her. The emotions running through her at that moment took her breath away.

He smiled comfortingly at her, and they stood there in each other's arms for a while. Finally, Steven moved his head towards hers. She met him midway and for a few minutes each knew nothing but the other's presence

He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. Elizabeth heard his radio go off, and he looked apologetic as he flicked it on.

"Colonel Caldwell, the repairs are complete and we should be able to leave."

"Thank you. I'll be there momentarily." He slowly released her and left for the bridge.

Elizabeth turned back to the stars. As the hyperspace window opened and the starlines stretched out around Daedalus, she smiled. Maybe all her chances on Earth weren't gone, after all.

Reviews same as before – constructive criticism welcome, let me know what you think, don't flame the pairing. I'm trying to write and publish as much as I can before this Friday.