"Of course," he agrees easily. "We spent five years together on our first mission, and many years after that. For a time, we were as close as family, and I miss them dearly."

It's sad to think that he missed out on the rest of their lives, but there's little he can do about that. At least he hasn't missed out on one particular life, a small miracle of the Nexus of his very own.

"My husband was my first officer," he adds, raising his eyebrows knowingly. "Even before we were involved, he was one of my best friends."