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Janeway nodded her comprehension. "You do understand, I hope, that this is not a mere formality. You're both going to have to get clearance from the Doctor as well as from me. And if he finds any reason why you two should not, er, continue, then I must forbid it And

I will admit to some concern about that scrambled DNA of yours."

"We of the Alilann have similar regulations, Captain," replied Khala. "Certainly, unwise interaction between species almost decimated my people once. I understand that these rules have developed for the safety of all individuals and species involved."

"But even with Khala's DNA, the Doctor didn't find any reason to quarantine Khala," interjected Kim hastily.

Janeway raised an eyebrow. 'True," she said, "hut that was for casual contact only. What you two are looking at-well, I think you realize that's a whole new ballgame. I'll tell you what. We seem to have things pretty well in hand. Why don't both of you go see the Doctor right now? If we need you, we'll call."

They rose, their hands reaching and clasping. "Thank you, Captain. We'll report to sickbay immediately."

Janeway returned to her chair feeling happier than she had hi a long time. They were utilizing every means at their disposal to retrieve the dark matter, and doing so as efficiently as possible. Harry Kim had found someone to care for, who cared for him, and whom he didn't have to lie about seeing. She hoped the Doctor would find nothing to prevent these two people from forming a more intimate, and perhaps permanent, bond.

As captain, she had the right to perform weddings aboard her ship. And thus far on this amazing adventure, she hadn't had the opportunity. Now that she thought about it, Khala and Harry would make a lovely bride and groom.

Harry was terrified. It had taken all his courage to go in and talk to his captain with Khala, after the incident with Tal. He had loved Tal, but that romance had had a heady, dangerous edge to it that had gotten him into a lot of trouble and had damaged his credibility in the eyes of his captain and chief medical officer. Even so, he did not regret it. He could not find it in himself to regret something he had done for love.

But his feelings for Khala were different. No less real, or passionate, but with a deep sincerity and a sense of rightness about it, as right as his relationship with Tal had been, in so many ways, wrong. In a way, his feelings for Khala reminded him of those he had held for Libby, the fianc6e from whom he had been torn over six years ago. Khala was brilliant, and sweet, and thoughtful, and passionate about what mattered to her. The joy she was taking in discovering her passion for creativity resonated in Harry's soul, and he tightened his grip on her hand as they stepped into the turbolift.

"Harry, I'm scared," said Khala, voicing Harry's own feelings.

"It's half over," he reassured her. Reassured himself. "It was getting the captain's approval that I was nervous about." A half truth. "The Doctor's just a formality."

She looked up at him with those blue eyes in a blue face. "But what if he finds something?" she asked in a quavering voice. "What if there's some physical reason we can't-be together?"

"Then," he said, turning toward her and taking both her hands in his, "we will turn the not inconsiderable talents of every member of this crew toward finding a way for us to overcome it. It'll work out. What I'm worried about is that you'll decide to leave me and go home one of these days." There, he had said it. All of his fears were now laid out on the table, naked for her to see.

By contrast, her brow unfurrowed and a soft smile spread across her face. "Oh, Harry," she whispered, "where you are is my home."

Tears prickled his eyes and he kissed her. They did not hear the soft hiss that indicated that the turbolift door had opened, and an uncomfortable cough made them spring apart like guilty children. Ensign Lyssa Campbell