Epilogue
Annika decided to check her communications before Harry arrived. Noting the sparkling ring on her left hand while she checked the station, she confirmed her earlier conclusion that it did, inexplicably, serve as an emotional catalyst.
She was grateful that the Neptune Project, the scientific group to which she belonged, had asked her to spend a year aboard the U.S.S. Alexandria. They had chosen her because of her prior experience working as a civilian aboard a Starfleet vessel. Annika was pleased because on the Alexandria she was reunited with a friend who turned out to be someone with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.
There was a letter from her aunt requesting a holoimage of her ring, but otherwise she found correspondence that she could wait until later until answering. Then she came across a communiqué from the home of Admiral Janeway and Chakotay. For that she did not want to wait, so she played the message.
Chakotay's face appeared on the screen. "Hi Sev-Annika. Sorry about that. Old habits die hard. I suppose you're wondering why I sent this. We heard about you and Harry. Congratulations. The two of you deserve the happiness you've found together.
"I also want to thank you. When you ended our relationship, you said that it was in our best interests. I didn't believe you then. Now I'm married and you're engaged. You were right all along.
"Give Harry my best."
The communiqué ended, and Annika smiled. She had been right. What had been one of the hardest things she had ever done also turned out to be one of the wisest. She was in love with Harry. As he and Libby had mutually decided that in his absence they'd both changed, they'd decided not to rekindle their relationship. That left Annika with no lingering feelings that perhaps she was a second choice. It had taken time, but her life in the Alpha Quadrant was much better than she could have imagined when she first returned.
Harry was at the door. "Come in," she said, and she stood to join him. They had an evening on the holodeck planned. First, though, she wanted to share an idea with him. "We haven't discussed our wedding plans," she began. "I think that we should consider holding the ceremony on Earth. We can invite our crewmates from Voyager and my colleagues from the Neptune Project as well as some from the Alexandria. Undoubtedly your parents will want to attend, as will my aunt."
Harry smiled. "Tom can be my best man. I like the way you think."
In return, Annika flashed him a smile of her own. It seemed that her way of thinking was becoming rather popular.
END
A/N: This has probably been my most controversial story, so it's been a bit of a challenge to write. I'd love to know what people think of how it worked out.
