Disclaimer: Paramount owns everything Voyager etc:
He was just getting out of the shower when he heard the doorbell; hastily he wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed another, which he used to roughly dry his hair as he ran down the stairs. “Hold on, I’m coming.
He opened the door to see Helen Thompson from the institute stood there. “Helen, what on earth are you doing here?” She took in his state of undress and her face coloured. ”I’m sorry,” She stammered, “I’ll call back again”.
“That’s all right, come in.” He shut the door behind her. “Just give me a minute to get some clothes on, go into the lounge and make yourself comfortable.”
He went back upstairs and quickly dressed putting on a pair of slacks and a sweater, he was curious as to why Helen had called on him at home. He had worked with her for the past 9 months and whilst they had spent many lunches together at the institute they had never seen each other outside of work hours. Besides he had seen her only 4 hours previously and she hadn’t mentioned anything about calling round.
She wandered into the lounge; it was a large cluttered room it had two big comfortable armchairs and a sofa with several books on the table. There was a Labrador laid on a rug in front of a large old-fashioned fireplace with a real fire burning in it.
“Hello girl,” She said rubbing the dog’s ears, She continued looking around the room and noticed a photograph on the mantelpiece. She picked it up to have a closer look, it was a picture of him with an attractive woman with blonde hair and in between them was the dog.
She didn’t hear him enter the room until he said, ”That was taken just before she left on Voyager.” He took the photograph off her and placed it back on the mantelpiece. “Would you like a drink?”
“I’d like a coffee please:” She followed him into the kitchen and watched him as he boiled a kettle of water. “You really are a traditionalist aren’t you.”
“That’s the way we were brought up in our community in Indiana, and I like to keep some of the old traditions going.”
“My parents were the total opposite, but I’ve always been fascinated by the old ways.”
“Not all the old methods are the best, I do like some modern comforts.” He said smiling.
“Have you watched the News since you arrived home this evening?” She asked.
He shook his head, ”No, I have to take Molly out as soon as I get home and she likes a long walk, then I went straight in the shower.
“She’s a beautiful dog.”
“She was Kaths dog, I was looking after her when she went missing, I couldn’t bear to give her away, especially as she was having pups.” He finished making the coffee; “Shall we go and sit in the lounge.”
He sat down in one of the armchairs and Molly came and nuzzled against his leg. “Why did you ask if I’d seen the news,” He asked, stroking the dog.
She hesitated, “Starfleet announced that they have declared Voyager officially lost, they’re calling off the search.”
“They can’t do that, I’m going to contact Headquarters,” he said standing suddenly and startling Molly.
“Mark, it’s been over 2 years and there’s been no sign of them.”
“They’ve not discovered any evidence that the ship was destroyed either.”
“It’s unlikely that they did survive, you’ve got to let go.”
“I can’t do that, it’s like letting Kath down.”
She walked up to him, “You're not letting her down, I never met her but from what you’ve told me about her, I don’t think she’d expect you to sit around waiting. I’m sure she’d want you to go on living your life.”
He turned and rested his arms on the mantelpiece, “Your right, she always knew that there was the risk she might not return from a mission, and she always told me I had to go on living. It would’ve made it easier to except if there’d been a proper funeral and I could’ve said my goodbyes.”
“Would you like me to go?”
He turned to face her, “Please, I need to be alone for a while.”
She nodded, “Ok, but remember if you need a shoulder you only need to call.”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that”
As she left, he remembered the words of an old song
I’ve been told there’ll be another (or so they say)
But I guess never like the other
So I’ll shed my tears and I’ll face my fears
I’ve been told there’ll be another.
FINIS