"Hey," she replied rather unenthusiastically.

"Well, don't sound so happy to see me," he drawled sarcastically, then added, "What's up with you?"

"I dunno. I'm just a bit depressed I guess. Have you heard about Ensign Turner and Dalby?"

"Hasn't everybody?" Jake replied with a grin.

It was true. Most people had been wondering about those two for a couple of years. They pretended to hate each other - always fighting and arguing about something - but everyone could tell they secretly liked each other. And now finally, they'd reconciled their differences. Well, most of them anyway.

"I guess so," she sighed.

"So why has that got you all depressed? You don't have a thing for Ken, do you?"

"No!" she protested indignantly, "Nothing like that." She shrugged. "I guess it's just that so many people have been... you know... pairing up lately. And you know, I haven't even had a date since Terry and I broke up six months ago."

"I know what you mean," Jake sympathised, "There is a definite lack of eligible bachelors on this ship."

"It's okay for you. Aren't you and Malcolm working things out? I even heard that you two are thinking about moving in together."

Hickman had the grace to look sheepish. "Well, yeah. Things are gong pretty well. Though I don't know how you know about us maybe moving in together. We've barely even hinted at it to each other!"

She shrugged. "You can't keep a secret on Voyager. Never could."

He nodded. It was an accepted fact of life.

"Ah well, poor little Lizzie. We need to get you a boyfriend. Is there anyone you've got your eye on?"

"Well, I've always had a thing for Neelix..." she shook her head, grinning wryly, "Seriously though, the problem is that I'm too close to everyone. We're just one big *happy family*. And don't get me wrong, it's nice being so comfortable with people... But it raises the fact that I'm now looking for a potential lover in a shipful of relatives."

Hickman nodded sagely. "You know, I've heard people saying the exact same thing."

Henley sighed, and poked the remaining food around on her tray. "And of course, even if I do overlook the whole brother-sister syndrome, there really isn't that much of a selection anymore."

"Well, let's go through a process of elimination. We've got 73 males to work with. Rule out the Vulcans, and us homosexuals. That leaves about 60. Now, Carey, Winslow, Tucker, and Gordon are all staying faithful to people back home, and at present, I think there are 17 men involved in at least a semi-serious relationship. So how many does that leave?"

She grimaced. "At last count it was 18 guys as I recall, and so that leaves me with a sorry 38 prospective dates."

"Oh, that's not that bad. The gay population on Voyager is way smaller. I'm lucky I have Mal, otherwise I'd be in a much worse position than you."

"Well, okay," she conceded grudgingly, "But you know, just because those 38 guys are currently unattached, doesn't mean I have my pick of them. Some of them are interested in people already. Take Ashmore, for example. He's completely besotted with Jenny Delaney. And Harry's out of the question. He's so busy letting Seven lead him around by the nose that he won't even look at anyone else."

"That's true," Jake nodded, "Same goes for Chakotay. He and the Captain are all wrapped up in each other."

"Do I detect a hint of bitterness, Ensign Hickman?"

"No," he replied primly, "Of course not."

"I think you have a crush on him," she teased, "Better not let Malcolm find out. Oh hey, I just realised why you do that Janeway impression of yours whenever he's around!" She laughed out loud at the glare he directed at her then. "Okay, I'm just kidding. Though I wouldn't blame you if you did. Our first officer is a very good-looking guy. So do you think they're having an affair or what?"

"Well, they certainly have the hots for one another. That much is obvious. Whether they're actually sleeping together... Well, I guess if anyone on this ship could carry on a secret relationship successfully, it's them."

"Yeah," she agreed, "Oh hey, look at the time. I'm supposed to be back in shuttle bay one in five minutes. Carey has had Chang and I working on the Odysseus overhaul all week. He's a total slave driver. He'll have my butt if I'm late."

"Wait up, I'm heading for Astrometrics so I'll walk with you," he said, picking up his empty tray and heading after her to the recycler. "Hi Seven," he said to the former Borg as he passed where she was seated just a few feet away. He hadn't noticed her sitting down.

"Ensign Hickman," she replied solemnly, her eyebrows raised slightly.

Jake considered stopping to ask her why she was looking at him like that, but instead he jogged to catch up to Henley as she strode out the door.

"Hey Henley, you know who I think would be perfect for you?"

"Oh, please tell me."

"Freddy Bristow."

She looked at him sceptically. "Oh, come on. Freddy will be pining for Susan until he's old and grey."

"No, really. A group of us were in Sandrines the other day and he said you were cute."

"Cute?!" she choked out, "He said I was cute? What the hell kind of thing is that to say?"

"I don't actually think he meant it as an insult. And you know, I think he's over the whole Nicoletti thing. He's finally starting to realise she just isn't interested. It's the perfect time to make a move, if you know what I mean."

Henley grinned. Freddy Bristow. Tall, good looking... She'd always thought he was a nice guy. "You know, Jake, I think you might be onto something there," she said, smiling, as they stepped onto the turbolift at the end of the corridor.