12 Months Later

Watching the stars passing by at an inconceivable speed it occurred to Maggie Zacher-Hagenshe was going to miss her fellow crew members. Their mission was nearly over and who knew where Starfleet would place her. In the pit of her stomach she wondered what would happen with Leonard and herself. What if they weren't together? She pushed the feeling deep down, she didn't want to think about it.

"Hey Dad, how are things?" Leonard had the good fortune of being able to contact his daughter via live audio-visual comms. It didn't happen often enough for his liking.

"Good Darlin', good. What about you? How's school?" McCoy couldn't get over how much older she looked. Time was passing a little too fast for his liking.

"Good, I came top of my class in science!" Joanna was beaming.

"That's great! Well done kid." He couldn't of been prouder.

"Where's Maggie?" Joanna looked disappointed, Leonard gave her a comforting smile.

"She's on the Bridge, she says hello and sorry she didn't get a chance to speak to you this time round."

"Oh that's okay, say hi back to her for me." McCoy had been nervous about the two of them getting along but the first time Maggie had sat down and spoken with Joanna she had won her over with funny stories about him and Jim. Maggie had helped her with school work and they'd traded tips on craftwork and which books to read.

"I will, darlin' I have something to tell you. Or rather ask your opinion about." Leonard was nervous, he rubbed his hands over his face.

"What is it?"

"Well, you know how Maggie and I have been together for a while now and she means a great deal to me…"

"Dad! Are you going to ask her to marry you?" Joanna interrupted.

"I…well yes…what do you think? Should I ask her? How do you feel about it?" McCoy was tripping over his words, his Daughter's opinion mattered more than he initially realised.

"Dad I thinks it's fantastic! You should definitely ask her!" Joanna clapped her hands together and let out a little squeak of excitement.

"You're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry? Momma and Clay are married." Joanna replied in a very matter of fact way, she really was growing up fast.

"Well, when you put it like that…" Leonard felt relieved, he smiled at his daughter.

"Does Momma know? Can I tell her?"

"No not yet, I will message her next week." Over the years Leonard and Pamela had settled into an amicable relationship. When they had first broken up, through the divorce it had been bad. She had been upset and angry and he had drunk his emotions away. Time and distance had seemed to alleviate the pain for the both of them. Leonard was happy that, in one way or another things had worked out and they were both happier.

"Can I tell Granny?"

"No sweetie, I'd like to tell your Grandmother if that's alright?" Leonard could see how excited his Daughter was, it was a weight off his shoulders he hadn't realised was there.

"Of course, when are you going to ask her? Are you going to go down on one knee? Will Jim be there? Will he be your best man? Oh! Can I be a Bridesmaid?" He held up his hand and couldn't help but laugh.

"Joanna Joanna, slow down, she has to say yes first."

"Dad, Maggie's going to say yes!" Leonard finished his conversation with his daughter and closed down the comms link. Sitting in his office the full weight of what he'd just discussed came down on him. He ran his hands over his face, smiling he laughed nervously to himself. What if she doesn't say yes?

It was Christmas Eve and the majority of the crew had tried to swap shifts with those who didn't celebrate the holiday so that they could at least spend some time with friends, loved ones or watching and sending audio-visual messages to those back home. Leonard and Maggie had arranged to see each other late that evening, arriving at his quarters Maggie let herself in. Leonard wasn't there yet so Maggie prepared dinner in the small kitchen and lay the small dining table ready for his return.

"Hello Darlin'." Maggie, sat at the table, looked up from her PADD and smiled at Leonard, he was leaning against the door frame looking a little tired. She got up and walked over to him, placing her hands on his chest she lifted herself up onto her tip toes and kissed him softly. It didn't go unnoticed to Leonard that she was wearing one of his old shirts, it looked better on her by a country mile. He closed his eyes and sighed contently, kicking his boots off he stretched out like a cat, bones cracking in his neck and shoulders.

"Hey, you ready for a drink?" She indicated to the table where a glass of Bourbon and ice sat.

"You're my saviour." He walked over to the table and looked over the food appreciatively. She'd managed to get some fresh produce from the hydroponics bay and make an actual home cooked meal. Leonard was a fan of her cooking and it was always a pleasant surprise when either of them had time to cook for the other. Maggie sat back down and indicated to Leonard to do the same. He kissed the top of her head as he walked past her. Picking up the glass he took a long sip and let out an appreciative sigh.

"Better?" She smiled, watching him take another gulp.

"Much." He raised his glass in a mock cheers.

"Jim still sulking?" She was referring to the fact that McCoy had had to break the news to Jim earlier that day that he wouldn't be going to the party that had been organised with a number of the crew members.

"He'll get over it, or under it if you catch my drift." Maggie snorted and pulled her face in mock disgust.

"Have you spoken to Joanna?" Maggie started plating out the food, passing bowls and utensils between each other. It was a routine that was comforting to both of them.

"I have, Pamela is taking her to see my Grandmother in the morning before they go to her family's house."

"That's nice, did you speak to your Grandmother?" Leonard took a bite and savoured the fresh taste of the vegetables.

"I did, I sent her that picture of the two of us also. She said you've taken ten years off me!" He laughed. Maggie had spoken to Leonard's Grandmother on a number of occasions, she was a very kind and caring woman. She spoke of her Grandson fondly and she took great joy in regaling Maggie with stories of Leonard as a small boy getting into trouble. "Have you spoken to your folks?"

"Yes, finally caught up with them on New Vulcan of all places!" Maggie shook her head in disbelief. They ate their dinner and happily chatted about all manner of things, standing and beginning to clear away the plates Maggie stopped. "Oh, I nearly forgot." Maggie moved her napkin and placed the small blue coloured present that had been hiding underneath in front of Leonard. He looked up at her and smiled. "I know its not Christmas day yet but as we're both working tomorrow I thought I'd give you your gift now." Leonard picked up the box, running his hands over the wrapping he ripped off the paper quickly, Maggie couldn't help but laugh at the childlike way he had unwrapped it. Opening it he found an old leather bound medical journal, he ran his fingers over the binding and flicked through the pages.

"Thank you Maggie, this is wonderful." He was genuinely touched by the thought that had gone into his gift. Maggie gave him a smile, happy at his reaction.

"I hoped you'd like it, I picked it up a few months ago on Space Station Six. Merry Christmas Leonard." Maggie got up and gave him a kiss, picking up his plate she took it to the kitchen. Leonard placed the book down and fumbled around in his pocket.

"It just so happens I picked something up for you there as well." Maggie continued clearing the plates away.

"Great minds." Maggie gave him a sweet smile and then turned away to look for the coffee pot in the cupboard.

"Indeed" Leonard watched her carry out her chores, letting out a long breath he got down on one knee next to the table. "It's not the one I want to give you but that will have to wait until we get home..." Maggie turned around and looked at him quizzically, noticing he was kneeling she looked at the small box in his hands. Her breath caught in her throat. Leonard opened the box, Maggie saw that within it sat a gold band with gems interspersed along the edge, looking up at Leonard her eyes began to glisten with tears.

She walked over and stood in front of him. "Maggie, I love you my Darlin'. I thought space darkness and silence. I was running away from my life. You changed all that, you changed me. For the better. You mean everything to me...I can't imagine my life without you...Will you marry me Sweetheart?" Maggie felt like she was floating, looking back down at the ring, then back to Leonard she nodded her head ever so slightly. "Is that a yes?" Leonard asked, his jaw clenched with nerves and anticipation.

"Yes, that's a yes Leonard. Yes I will marry you." Leonard beamed, standing he pulled Maggie into a tight embrace. "I love you Leonard." Maggie didn't want to let go. They kissed, it was long, loving and gentle. Leonard wiped the tear from Maggie's cheek. "What's wrong with this ring?" She asked, looking at the band on her finger. "It's beautiful."

"I want to give you my Grandmother's ring, it's at home, in Georgia. We're due back next month, will you come home with me?" He held her face and continued to kiss her between his words.

"Of course I will." She kissed him again.

"Good, Merry Christmas Maggie."

Merry Christmas everybody! LLAP :-) XOXO