[Kim!] exclaimed the face on the viewscreen. His complete surprise was evident, but he quickly wiped away his stupefied expression and replaced it with one of delight. [I wasn't expecting a call from you. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?]
"I... Well..."
[Uh-oh. I know that stammer. Don't tell me you're in trouble again!]
Kim hung her head sheepishly. She never could hide anything from Garek. "Yeah, you could say that," she confessed.
Garek chuckled softly. [Poor Kimmie. What is it this time? Buzz the bridge module? Or did you run off with yet another ex-Starfleet fugitive?] Usually any reference to Kim's little escapade with Thomas Riker sent both of them rolling on the floor with laughter -- the situation and the events leading up to it had been rather improbable -- but not this time. This time it didn't elicit so much as a smile from Kim.
Noticing, Garek's demeanor became more serious. [What's wrong?]
"I've been grounded!" blurted Kim.
[Why?]
Kim hesitated before answering. Must be pretty bad, thought Garek. Finally, Kim said, "I almost killed Max...."
Garek looked stunned. [What?!? How?]
"We were on maneuvers and I wasn't paying attention. I... had other things on my mind," replied Kim.
[You're one of the best pilots around, Kimmie. What could possibly have distracted you that much?]
Again Kim hesitated. She's hoped to talk to Garek about this in person, but decided that now might be as good a time as any to broach the subject. She looked into Garek's eyes and said, "I was thinking about you...."
[Me? That's sweet of you, Kimmie, and I miss you too, but--"
"I don't mean that, you lunkhead! I mean...." She didn't quite know how to put this. "At our engagement party.... You seemed.... I could tell something was wrong. Was it something I did?"
At hearing that, Garek's expression turned darker. [No! Not something you did... exactly.... More like something you said that kind of troubled me.]
"What? Tell me. I'd never say anything to hurt you."
[Oh, I know that,] Garek reassured her with a smile. [It was just that little comment you made about never leaving the Banshees....]
"Oh.... Yeah, I guess I can see how that might have bugged you," admitted Kim. "I guess I wasn't thinking."
[It just got me wondering what kind of marriage we'd have -- me on the station, and you off, hundreds of light years away on the Hornet.]
"Sorry...."
[I think we need to sit down and talk about it.]
Suddenly Kim brightened. She laughed, to Garek's surprise, and said, "My dereliction of duty may have solved our little problem!"
The next day....
Duffel bag in hand, Kimberly Tycho cast one last glance back at her old cabin, trying to think if she'd forgotten anything. After deciding she hadn't, she stepped out into the corridor, letting the door slide shut behind her, for the last time. The journey down to the main hangar deck where her runabout was waiting was the longest walk of her life. The crew she passed on the way all gave her sympathetic looks. Even on a ship this size, the news of events and of her departure had already spread.
Finally she arrived at the bay. The large double doors parted, and resolutely, she walked into the cavernous enclosure. The runabout Kern was on the center pad, warmed up and ready to take her back to Starbase 901. And, as she'd expected, beside the runabout were the remaining four Banshees -- her friends.
As she walked up to them, Lee stepped forward and said, "Not too late to change your mind, you know."
"We both know I don't need a counselor," replied Kim.
Carter nodded in reluctant agreement. She took Kim's hand and shook it, and said, "Good luck, Lieutenant. This is for the best then."
"I know, Commander. Plus it'll let me and Garek be together," replied Kim. Then, since one more small breach of protocol would hardly matter at this point, she released Carter's hand and embraced her in a hug.
Carter hugger her back and said, "We'll miss you around here, Kiddo."
"Me too. It was an honor serving under your command."
Then, one by one, Kim went down the line, hugging and saying farewell to her friends. In turn, Max, Sam and Jo hugged her and pounded her on the back and wished her well, saying how much she'd be missed.
Finally, everything had been said, and with mixed emotions Kim climbed aboard the Kern. The hatch slid shut behind her with a dull and permanent thud.
The small craft lifted on its repulsors and quietly slipped through the atmospheric shield, then was gone. The Banshees, numbering only four now, wandered individually back into the depths of the ship, intent on their duties, not wanting to face their feeling just yet.
Ten hours later....
The runabout Kern settled gently to the deck of Docking Bay 47, Starbase 901. The hatch slid open and Kim Tycho stepped out. Waiting for her on the deck nearby was the man she'd most been hoping to see. She ran from the runabout and leapt into his arms. They kissed.
He set her down and said, "Welcome home."