Title: Two Teardrops Author: Cait N. Series: VOY Codes: Janeway, Chakotay, Mark Rating: PG Feedback: Yes! Please! caitn @ mindspring.com Archive: ASCEM, ASC - all others, please ask. Beta: Mariel Website: /~CaitN Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters, I just take 'em out for a spin every once in a while. Summary: Janeway gets married. Author's Note: This was inspired by the first two verses of the song quoted below. = = = = = = = = = = = = "Two Teardrops" copyright December 2001 by Cait N. "Oh the ocean's a little bit bigger tonight with two more teardrops somebody cried..." - from "Two Teardrops" by Steve Wariner The setting sun spread its multi-colored hues over the ocean and the small party gathered along the shore. "With this ring," the minister intoned, "I thee wed." Kathryn repeated the words, sliding a plain gold band into place on the hand of the man standing beside her. She raised her head and her eyes locked onto his. Her wedding, an event she'd only dreamt about, was now reality. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over onto her simple beige wedding gown. "With the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister smiled. "You may kiss the bride." Kathryn raised her head as lips pressed warmly and gently against hers. No public display of wanton passion; that was for later. Some habits were hard to break. A small cheer of approval came from the friends and family who'd gathered for the joyous occasion. "Why the tears?" the love-struck groom asked, staring down into the face of the woman he'd first called enemy, friend, lover, and now wife. Kathryn looked up at him and just stared. She heard the noise of the sea combined with the chatter from the guests. The waves lapped gently at her bare feet, tickling her toes, adding another page to the book of memories she'd treasure about the day. She caressed the lines on his face with her fingertips. "I just..." she faltered for words. "I never thought this day would ever come. This is the happiest day of my life." "The happiest? Are you sure?" he teased gently. "Oh yes," she answered. She wiped at her tears with a gloved hand. "And in fifty years my answer will still be the same." He leaned down to kiss her again, as another tear escaped. It fell unnoticed into the salty sea, carried away by the currents... ...and met up with another of its kind, the two blending into one... ...as more tears fell from the sad brown eyes of a man several yards down the beach. He watched as the tears fell into the cold water at his feet. He stared into the water, wondering if there was anything he could have done differently. Hindsight and "I should have" were instruments of torture, yet try as he might, he couldn't avoid either one. "If only I'd had a little more hope," he said softly to himself. "We were perfect for each other, and then she was gone and there were so many questions without answers." He tossed a wayward shell back into the ocean. He stood lost in memories of "what might have been" for several more minutes, then wiped the rest of the tears from his face. "Wherever you are, Kathryn, whoever you're with, I hope you're happy." He whistled sharply and an aging Irish Setter ambled over to him. He leaned down and scratched her behind the ears. "Come on, Molly, let's go home." THE END