Kathryn looks for hope.

DISCLAIMER: CBS and Paramount own them. I’m just borrowing *zoink*

 

A/N: thanks to elem for the quick beta.

 

Kathryn stood at the window of her house in Indiana. She held her coffee mug in her hands, and it warmed her as she watched the wind pick up outside. It signaled the arrival of winter. A cherry blossom tree stood in the middle of the front lawn. Its limbs were bare, except for one lonely yellow leaf, clinging to its branch, unwilling to let go.

 

She watched anxiously as the official Starfleet hover car turned into her driveway. The red hover car was reminiscent of those used in the early 21st century. They usually signaled bad news, as that of a loved one who had died in the line of duty. In some cases, the red hover car brought good news. She hoped that this was the case.

 

Striding to the door she opened it, and watched as the solemn figure of Admiral Owen Paris emerged from the car and made his way towards her. For the first time since she’d heard of the accident, she let her fears overwhelm her.

 

“I’m so sorry, Kathryn…”

 

The sound of his voice faded as her eyes gazed past him, and watched, as if in slow motion, the wind pick up and create a mini dust cloud. Her gaze followed the dirt in its spiral flight towards the cherry blossom tree, and she blanched as the single yellow leaf lost its tenuous hold on the branch and floated away in the wind.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Kathryn Janeway stood at the window of her home in Indiana. She sipped her coffee, and wondered if the cherry blossom situated in the middle of her front yard would bloom this year. She longed to see the pink buds blossom into soft pink flowers, to hear the buzzing of the bees hidden amongst the branches, and to watch the petals fly as the wind blew.

 

It had been just over a year since the day of Admiral Paris’ visit, delivering the news of his death. Spring and summer had come and gone, but the cherry blossom refused to bloom.

 

Now, winter was ending; the days were becoming longer and the weather warmer.

 

She watched in confusion as the same red official Starfleet hover car turned into her driveway. Placing her cup on the table, she walked to the door and opened it, making her way down the steps as the vehicle halted in front of the house.

 

Her sight blurred with tears as she caught sight of him. His hair was longer, and a little greyer than the last time she saw him. His face was gaunt, his build slighter, and with his pallid color, the lines on his forehead stood out vividly. But his eyes…those wonderful eyes, they were the same, and when they lit upon her she saw the peace settle over him and the love shine.

 

They slowly made their way towards each other. She reached out to him, needing to feel him, to make sure that he was real. Their hands met and entwined as they had that first time on a planet a lifetime away. He pulled her into his embrace, and she shut her eyes and hugged him desperately, as his deep voice whispered her name in benediction.

 

As the two lovers were reunited, a little ray of sunshine peaked through the clouds, bestowing its shining gaze on the single pink bud that bloomed.

 

Fin