Miranda Montgomery and Simon McRaney walked hand in hand into the Carina Atrium. This was Simon's first day back since his two week Geology Conference and she had missed him terribly. They had really gotten close in the past year and this was their first Valentine's Day together.

Tonight felt special, even more so than it being Valentine's Day. As they walked slowly through the atrium, Mira enjoyed looking at the decorations. The candles on the tables and the soft lighting made everything seem more of a fantasy than a reality. Paul Daniels, the new crewmaster, had done a terrific job!

Simon led Mira to a table in the corner where a dozen roses were laying on the table. "Oh, look," said Mira, "this must be someone else's table. They left their roses here."

"No. These are for you," answered Simon, as he picked up the bunch of roses and handed them to her.

"How sweet of you, Simon! They're beautiful!" replied Mira as she brought the flowers to her nose and smelled the lovely fragrance.

"Not half as beautiful as you, my dear," replied Simon. "I love that dress you're wearing."

Mira had decided to be as feminine as possible tonight and was wearing a light pink, floor length, long sleeved, princess type dress with a gathered bodice. She wore her hair up with tendrils falling around her face. She wore no jewelry except for her favorite Bajoran silver and diamond earring which sparkled in the soft light.

"Would you like some punch, Miranda?" asked Simon.

"Miranda? Not Mira?" she teased.

"Somehow tonight, Miranda seems to go with the ambiance more so than Mira. I hope you don't mind?"

"No. I think you're right. Tonight is indeed different."

"You don't know how different yet, my dear," he teased. "Punch?"

"What are you talking about Simon? And yes, punch would do right nicely."

"I'll be right back," he answered, ignoring her question, as he got up to leave.

I wonder just what he has in mind for tonight, thought Mira. He had been acting strange ever since he returned from the conference late last night, when they had drinks together at Jake's.

When Simon returned with the punch, he still refused to answer her questions. Just as they had finished drinking their cup of punch , the first dance was announced and both got up to dance with their partners for the first dance. When that was finished, Simon and Miranda proceeded to dance most every dance together, mingle with the other crew, eat and drink and enjoy the dance.

At 0100 hours, Simon took Miranda back to their table where a small pink box was sitting.

"Another surprise?" asked Mira as she looked at the box.

"Yes. And a very good one I hope," he responded. Simon took Miranda's hands in his and looked intently into her eyes. "Miranda, in the past year we have become very close to each other, I feel. You have become someone very special to me and for the life of me I can't imagine my life without you."

"Simon, I feel the same way about you," she stated, her heart beating wildly.

Simon smiled very tenderly at her and continued, "Being away from you these past two weeks has been murder! I could barely keep my mind on the conference! And that is something I almost never have trouble doing, keeping my mind on my work." Miranda smiled and nodded. She had been having the same problem too!

"That is why I decided to ask you this very important question tonight."

"Yes, Simon."

Miranda Sabra Montgomery, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Mira was beaming! "Simon! Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" she answered.

Simon picked up the box, opened it and presented her with a 1/2 caret, turquoise, round shaped stone with a row of tiny diamonds surrounding it. "Oh! How exquisite! It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen!" exclaimed Mira."You couldn't have replicated something as beautiful as this!"

"Actually, no. This comes from the planet Cormite. I picked it up while I was at the conference. Do you really like it?"

"Oh, of course I do! This, this..." she started to cry.

"Sweetheart.." .he began as he took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. The ring sparkled in the candle light as Mira wiggled her finger. She reached over the table and gave him a big hug and kiss. Then they both stood up and he took her into his arms and spun her around. "Miranda McRaney. That has a nice sound to it!" he wispered into her ear. As the dancing was still going on, no one noticed the two radiant officers and that was just fine with them!