Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own anything...

A/N: Last one for today. This one, which isn't actually a drabble, has established J/C as well as P/T and is set (very) post-Endgame.

It's OK I can promise you

It's alright you ain't keeping me up all night no more

You're not here but it's OK I assure you babe

It's alright you ain't keeping me up all night no more

You're not here but it's OK

- 'It's Ok' by Atomic Kitten

Kathryn Janeway had become an expert at making a forced smile look natural. In fact she was so good at faking facial expression that Tom and Harry hated playing card games with her now. So, even though she didn't feel like smiling at all, the happy grin on her face didn't show that reluctance. "Alyssa, go. The two of you are going to be late."

"Are you sure..."

"You heard your mother." B'Elanna interjected for her, the half-Klingon was tense, but over the years she too had learned the fine art of pretending to act casual...at least when it came to the children.

Kathryn almost laughed bitterly at that, the 'children' were starting to loose that title and each week they seemed to be getting closer and closer to adulthood. Today was a perfect example of that.

Alyssa, her and Chakotay's daughter, along with Miral, the oldest of the Paris children and one of her unofficial adopted daughters, would be leaving for the Academy in less than a week. She knew it was a bit selfish, but she wanted so much to keep them both close to her right up until they were forced away. Maybe it was a control tactic or maybe she was just getting even more sentimental the older she grew, but either way the thought of her daughter not being just down the hall sent a feeling of impeding dread through her.

As she and B'Elanna ushered the two girls out of the house she saw flashes of memories walking out the door. She remembered early morning feedings, late night crying, skinned knees and bouncing ponytails, hide and go seek in her office, and she saw two little girls who'd grown up like sisters grinning up at their fathers...who would then give them anything they wanted.

They were only going to visit friends before their first semester at the Academy. It wasn't a death sentence and it wasn't like she wouldn't see them tomorrow evening when they got back. So then why did it hurt so much to see them walk out that door?

With a tired sigh she let the door close and turned just in time to see one of her closest friends staring sadly at said door. The pretense of being happy and understanding quickly fell away and was replaced by the same sullen look as B'Elanna wore. "Coffee?" She asked when the other woman glanced in her direction.

With a bittersweet smirk and an understanding glimmer in her eyes B'Elanna turned so they could both start walking back down the hallway. "Do you have any of that Vulcan brandy left?" Before Kathryn could answer in the affirmative the door behind them suddenly opened, causing them both to stop and watch as their husbands rushed into the house.

Tom was practically panting, as if having just run all the way here from the transport station. "They haven't left yet have they?"

She nodded, giving him a half-smile before glancing at Chakotay. Her husband seemed to deflate, his eyes growing just a bit sad, but he still gave her a tender smile when he caught her watching him. Tom, on the other hand, didn't seem to accept the news so quickly.

He stared at them for a moment, as if not believing them, before quickly turning back towards the door to run after the two girls. B'Elanna caught his arm before he could actually get to the door though. "They'll be back tomorrow." She reminded him, catching his eyes and silently conveying a message.

"But they may decide to..."

"They'll be back tomorrow, Tom." Kathryn reiterated forcibly, giving him a pointed look, and with a final glance between his wife and his former captain he gave in and nodded. Together the four friends moved into the living room to share memories and a bottle of Vulcan brandy.

A/N: So what did you think?