Kathryn turned toward Chakotay, concern etched across her face. "Route it to my ready room. Commander, you have the bridge." 

Kathryn moved quickly through the doors, ordering the computer to activate the message center as soon as she entered. The screen flickered to the logo of Starfleet Command as she uttered her authorization codes. 

"Authorization accepted." The computer's monotone informed her before displaying the image of a gray-haired man bearing the rank of Admiral. He wasn't anyone that Kathryn was familiar with. He began speaking immediately. 

"Captain Janeway, Admiral Rand here. First of all I want to congratulate you and your crew on arriving back in the Alpha Quadrant. I am sure that it was no easy task." 

"Thank you, Sir. It has been an interesting journey." Kathryn said. "But it's good to finally be home." 

"I'm sure," the Admiral smiled agreeably. "No doubt after such an extended mission your crew is anxious to see their families, but we're going to ask that you maintain radio silence for the time being. The Merced and the Naughton are currently enroute to your position. When they arrive you will be joined by Admiral Stirum Nohau. He will escort you to headquarters." 

"Is this really necessary, Admiral? Voyager is good condition and can easily make the trip on her own. We could be there in 12 hours." 

"We understand that Captain, but as you may not be aware, there was a great deal of media fervor when it was discovered that Voyager was not lost after all. Headquarters had to appoint a department to deal with the frenzy. You would have a much...quieter journey home if we can keep the possibilities of a leak to a minimum." 

Kathryn eyed the man carefully as she considered his words. Something didn't quite add up. Before she could act on the feeling, the Admiral continued speaking. 

"I'm going to be frank with you, Captain Janeway. You've just come through a wormhole that we've never known existed leading to the Delta Quadrant. The power readings from the nearest science station were unlike anything we've seen; and it's in Federation space. I'm sure that we're not the only ones who noticed it. Information regarding that wormhole, and no doubt all that you've compiled in the past six years is a valuable commodity. We'd simply like to protect it." 

Kathryn nodded. Now that made more sense. "I appreciate your honesty, Admiral," she said, settling back into her chair. "When will my crew be able to contact their families?" 

"Soon. We owe you that much. Admiral Nohau will brief you on all other details when he joins you. Once again, congratulations Captain and welcome home." 

Kathryn stared thoughtfully as Headquarters' logo for long moments before tapping her combadge and calling a meeting of the senior staff. 
-- -- 

"Radio silence? Why?" That from Harry. 

Kathryn turned toward him and offered the same explanation that Rand had offered her. "Those are our orders," she finished. "We'll know more when the Merced and Naughton arrive. Admiral Nohau will be coming aboard and will brief us at that time." 

"Nohau?!" Tom asked. "No way Nohau?" 

Kathryn shot him a look. "I think yes. Did you know him?" 

Tom blew out a breath. "Yeah, you could say that. There was a saying at the penal colony, With Nohau as judge and jury, no way no how were you gonna get off. He was on my sentencing committee. Unless he's changed in the past five years, his specialty is persecution." Tom glanced toward B'Elanna with a small laugh. "Maybe he's coming to reclaim me." 

Kathryn frowned. "Perhaps it's just a coincidence, Tom. They wanted to get someone here fast. I don't think--" 

"Bridge to Janeway." 

"Janeway here." 

"Captain, two Federation vessels are approaching." 

"On my way." Kathryn moved quickly to her feet. "All right everyone, this is it." On her way through the door, she offered Tom a reassuring wink. No way, no how was she letting anyone intimidate her crew. 
-- -- 

"Admiral Nohau. Welcome to Voyager." Kathryn smiled graciously at the tall blond-haired man who appeared on the transporter pad. "This is my security chief. Commander Tuvok." 

The man stooped to pick up a black carrying case and then moved to shake her hand. "It's good to finally meet you, Captain Janeway. I've read so very much about you. And you as well, Commander Tuvok." The man spoke politely, but he did not smile. Kathryn was hard pressed to determine who was stiffer, the Admiral or Tuvok. 

She gestured the group out of the transporter room and into the corridor, undeterred by the man's brusqueness. "Admiral Nohau, I have a number of questions I'd like to ask you. Admiral Rand informed me that you'd be briefing us." 

"Yes, that is one of the reasons why I am here." Nohau said before quickly steering the conversation in a slightly different direction. "I'd like a meeting with your Senior staff in three hours Captain, if that's possible. I'd also like a secure partition set aside for me within the main computer as well as an updated listing of the status of all crew members who have served or are serving aboard Voyager." 

Kathryn nodded toward Tuvok, who excused himself to take care of the matter. "May I ask, Admiral, what are your other reasons for being here?" 

"To observe." Kathryn didn't like that answer at all, but pasted on a smile just the same. After attempts to simply talk to the man, she gave up. Happy that they had reached his rooms. 

She punched a key, and stepped back. "These will be your quarters, Admiral. I'm sure your partition will be ready very soon. And if there is anything else you require..." 

"Thank you, Captain." Nohau said over his shoulder as he stepped into the room. Then, almost as an after thought, "We will talk later. Good bye." With that he allowed the doors to his quarters to slide shut. 
-- -- 

"Where are you rushing off to?" 

Chakotay made a face and stepped back into the holodeck to allow B'Elanna to enter. "Admiral Nohau has an extensive list of items he'd like available for the staff meeting. Most of it seems incredibly meaningless, but you didn't hear that from me." Gesturing back over his shoulder toward the sounds of revelry, he continued. "Between his 'requests' and Chell's party, I've been just a bit busy." 

B'Elanna chuckled as her eyes trailed over a particularly rowdy game of Selumdren quarters. "They're just happy, Chakotay. We've finally made it home. This is what we've been working for for the past five years." 

"Happy?" Chakotay feigned shock. "Happiness is synthehol. Last thing we need is for the Admiral to show up down here and find a batch of home brew." 

 "Several batches of home brew, from the looks of it," she laughed, angling her head to try to make out what Chell had just passed to Clearwater. "It almost feels like we're cadets walking around on eggshells while the Admiral is here."  B'Elanna's smile faded and her tone changed. "Watch your back with him, Chakotay." 

Chakotay felt a sudden chill. "Watch my back? Is something wrong?" 

B'Elanna looked uncomfortable as she studied his expression. Then coming to a decision, she dragged him into a corner. "Listen. I don't know if this means anything, but while I was doing a check on the engines I overheard Carey talking to McNeill He said that our guest had been asking a lot of questions. Most of them were about you." 

The chill intensified. "What kind of questions?" he pressed, though he knew he wasn't going to like the answer. 

"Loyalty questions. Favoritism. Why Carey wasn't made chief engineer. Whether or not you followed the Captain's orders willingly, or whether..." B'Elanna broke off in embarrassment. "Some of his insinuations weren't pretty." 

Chakotay felt an old anger building, but he quickly quelled it. "B'Elanna, I need to ask a favor, and I'm sorry to do this because I know that you probably want to go to the party --" 

"Just ask, Chakotay," she cut him off. "I'll do it as long as you promise not to do anything stupid." 

"Me?" Chakotay asked. "You know me..." He quickly handed her a PADD. "Nohau's list." 

B'Elanna took the list, noting which items had been checked off. "Yeah, I know you, old man. I know how you are now compared to then. I just want to make sure that the right one of you wins out." 

"First Officer Chakotay - the schizophrenic?" 

"It does have a certain ring to it," B'Elanna teased. "But seriously, you're still you. Just...just more at peace." 

Chakotay simply smiled. 
-- -- 

"Come in," Kathryn called, her gaze remaining fixed on a framed photograph she'd pulled from her desk. She smiled up at her visitor and pointed back toward the picture. "Five years... Do you know how long that is in dog years?" 

Chakotay rounded her desk and peered at the photograph. "Time. Amazing how sometimes it seems you have all the time in the world, and then suddenly you look behind you and see just how much has passed away forever." 

Kathryn turned and glanced up at her first officer. "That sounds almost  pessimistic. Are you sure you're my Chakotay and not some guy who's been taken over by aliens?" 

Chakotay's smile seemed a bit hesitant. "I'll always be your Chakotay." 

"Chakotay?" Kathryn moved to stand before the man she'd come to love. "Is something wrong?" 

Wordlessly he drew her close and kissed her tenderly. She willingly surrendered to the caress, feeling sure he'd let her know why he was acting so strangely. 

"I love you, Kathryn Janeway," he said after pulling away. 

"And I love you, Chakotay," she said, her expression telling of her confusion. "Now are you going to tell me what's wrong, or am I going to have to resort to stronger measures to get you to talk?" 

Chakotay didn't smile. "Kathryn, I'm not sure we should see one another anymore." 

"What?" Kathryn was stunned. "Why? Our relationship has barely begun." 

Chakotay took a deep breath. "Yes. But, I think it will hinder your ability to speak for the former Maquis crew members. If there is no attachment between the two of us, then Starfleet will be more likely to listen to your arguments." 

Kathryn stared speechless for several moments. Perhaps she'd missed something. "Let me get this straight: You want to end our relationship because you feel that I'll be biased?" 

"No," Chakotay shook his head. "I just think that Starfleet may think you are." 

"But I am, and I should be. I've served with you all for the past five years. I know what your capabilities are. Of course I'm biased. That there is something more between you and I shouldn't make any difference." 

"It *is* different Kathryn." Chakotay turned and paced to the other side of the room. "Don't you see? It's me you were sent to arrest. *My* face on the arrest warrant. *My* orders my Maquis crew was following. You're supposed to be my jailer. It would look strange that you're now my defender." 

Kathryn followed his agitated motions curiously. He'd turned his back and walked away. So unlike Chakotay. He always argued face to face. "What happened?" she asked softly. When he didn't speak for several moments, she crossed and stood in front of him. 

"I think I can guess," she said. "That past couple of months have been something of a learning experience for me. The Veilien Monarch was blindly resistant to change, even if it were detrimental to his people. My eyes are open. The Telorans seek honesty. I *want* to be honest. I don't want to hide the truth about our relationship. It will only look as if we have something to hide, and that's the last thing that we need. Everything will be up front and on the table." 

Chakotay's lips quirked into the beginnings of a smile. "I guess that's settled then. You never were one to run away from a fight. But I still think we should be careful -- just until everything is settled." 

Kathryn heaved a sigh. "Paranoia. The Delta Quadrant taught us that one, too. I agree that we should be discreet, but not that we should go out of our way to do anything differently. Nothing to hide, remember." 

Chakotay closed the gap between them. "Right. This may not be easy, Kathryn, and we may not win. I could still end up sentenced to a penal colony. If that happens..." 

Kathryn shushed him. "That's not going to happen. Think positive. I'll accept nothing less than --" 

"But if it does," Chakotay pressed. "I wouldn't expect you to put your life on hold. You're going to have a lot of options once this is all over with and I don't want to hold you back." 

Kathryn placed a finger over his lips. "Repeat after me. Op-tim-is-tic." 

"Kathryn..." He began again. 

"No, Chakotay. You were protecting the lives of your people. I really don't think that they're gong to throw the book at you. The Federation is reasonable." 

Chakotay sighed. He looked as if he wanted to argue more, but acquiesced. 

"Good. Now, I know there is contraband somewhere on this ship. And I think you can lead me at least nearby so we can share a toast with our crew. Synthehol of course." 

"Of course," Chakotay said, leading the way. 
-- -- 

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Chakotay gazed out of the shuttle's tiny window, entranced by the sight of the Earth from 100,000 Kilometers. Though he'd loved his homeworld, the brilliant blue jewel that was the Earth would always hold a place of honor in his heart. The ten days they'd been in the Alpha Quadrant hadn't diminished his simply joy in just looking at it. 

Kathryn leaned over the armrest between the two of them and gazed out. "Lovely. Home sweet home." Her voice was soft, whispering.  She leaned back into her seat after a moment and glanced around at the rest of the shuttle's passengers, her gaze lingering over them. "I can't believe it's almost over." 

Chakotay followed her gaze. Tuvok and Kim sat in a pair of seats across the isle, while Tom and B'Elanna sat directly behind them. Neelix was seated across from Tom and B'Elanna. 

"Do you think Starfleet is going to accept our recommendations?" he asked, returning his gaze forward. After the staff meeting with Nohau, he and Kathryn had been busy with the incredible amount of paperwork and formality involved in bringing a crew home after five years. In between all of the paperwork, they'd dug through ever ounce of information they could glean that even remotely resembled the situation of the Maquis crew members. 

Many nights were spent pouring through archives, and sending communiques to legal professionals throughout the Federation. The case they'd presented was strong. Chakotay only hoped that they'd not overlooked some small item that might work against them. 

Now, paperwork completed, Starfleet crew largely disassembled, evidence presented, headquarters skeleton crew in place, the senior staff would be shuttled to Earth to meet with the review committee to hear their final decision. The previous portions had taken place on Voyager with Nohau and several staff members acting as liaison. It had taken the review committee less than 2 hours to come to their conclusion. Chakotay wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. Clearly Kathryn didn't either. 

"I hope so," she answered him with a small smile. There was a slight frown between her brow as she voiced his own concerns. "And I hope we haven't missed something. This crew, every one of them, deserves every opportunity available to them." 

"You won't get an argument from me." Chakotay said, adding. "We've talked to everyone who's anyone in the field. And the crew reports back us up. Besides, after the way you've defended them, I don't see how the Federation could *not* realize it, as well." 

Kathryn smiled and entwined her fingers with his. "I didn't do it alone, Chakotay. Your name is on that recommendation, too. Not to mention a lot of late night research missions." 

Chakotay laughed and tightened his grip slightly, engulfing her hand in his, gently stroking his thumb along its back. "I'm sure that if the Doctor scanned us, he'd find that we're both running on caffeine and adrenaline. You know, we're due for a nice long vacation when this is all over." He carefully emphasized the word long. 

"Oh really?" Kathryn's brow perked up. "My mother was just..." 

Her comment was interrupted by a soft ping, followed by the flickering of the shuttle's lighting. The windows had darkened slightly for atmospheric entry, but now revealed a stunning image of what had once been the southwestern United States. The shuttle quickly entered headquarters air space, and put down on the roof of the headquarters building. Nohau immediately appeared at the entrance of the passenger compartment, briefcase in hand. 

Chakotay sighed as he released Kathryn's hand. "Why is it that every time he's around I feel like a school boy trying not to get caught?" he murmured softly. 

"Perhaps it's those naughty school boy thoughts you're thinking," Kathryn whispered over her shoulder as she stood. Chakotay had to struggle to maintain an unaffected facade as the Admiral's gaze settled on him. He nodded a polite greeting as they passed, quickly putting the man out of his mind as he caught up to Kathryn. 

 
 -- -- 
 
The meeting room was much smaller than Kathryn had expected. After the officiousness of Nohau's arrival and subsequent meetings with the review committee, she'd expected something much more formal for the final decision. Instead, the room was almost cozy. A large window overlooked a massive oval table, the bright mid-morning sunshine casting light across its polished surface. Comfortable-looking high-backed chairs were placed at intervals around the table, each before an embedded control panel. Of course the colors were completely Starfleet, standard grays and beiges. The overall effect was warm and soothing. Kathryn wondered at the psychology of that. 

Tom had just made some comment about this being an awfully plush location for a firing squad when another door at the opposite end of the room opened, and what looked like a fair percentage of Starfleet's top brass filed in. Everyone came quickly to attention. 

A gentlemen that Kathryn quickly identified as Admiral Rand from her first communication with Starfleet after re-entering the Alpha Quadrant, spoke up. "At ease, at ease. If everyone would find a seat, we will begin." 

Kathryn appreciated the fact that they were getting right down to business. While the room was comfortable enough, and the general feeling that she was getting from the men who'd entered the room didn't seem to be condemnatory, the suspense was beginning to grate. 
 
Admiral Rand stationed himself at the head of the table and called the meeting to order. "I, Admiral Stephen Rand and this committee, along with Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager and her command staff are gathered here for the formal debriefing of mission number 72235-0947. 

"First of all Captain, I'd like to offer my personal appreciation for the thoroughness of your reports. You've certainly made our jobs a lot easier. We've reviewed all of your recommendations and in accordance with Starfleet and Federation statutes feel that we can grant your request with regard to your official crew. Added to your requests is the standard package of retraining or separation. 

"In the matter of the members of your crew that joined to USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, we have reviewed your research and recommendations there as well. A full pardon is being upheld. For those qualified, admittance into Starfleet will be considered on a case by case basis. The information is available on your console, Captain. If you are in agreement with these proceedings, and your senior staff wishes to make no further comments on the matter, please mark your reply for the record." 

Kathryn blinked as the Admiral awaited her response. That was it? She shared a quick, happy look with Chakotay, before nodding in the Admiral's direction. With only a slightly trembling hand, she pressed the button that would mark her reply for the record. 

Rand noted her response with a nod. "Very well." He glanced quickly along the table at his companions, an unreadable look crossing his face before he again spoke. 

"We've also reviewed your personal recommendations for your senior staff. These have all been considered." The Admiral nodded toward his assistant who rose and started around the table. "Ensign Eugene is presenting each of you with your final packages. Additional legal counsel will be made available upon requested." 

Kathryn smiled as Eugene placed datapadds before Tom, B'Elanna, Tuvok, even Neelix. Though he wasn't a  part of Starfleet, there was opportunities that he might take advantage of. The young man rounded the table and then found his seat. It took Kathryn a full moment to realize that Chakotay hadn't been given a datapadd. 

She turned toward the Admiral, preparing to protest. 

Rand raised a hand. "Your questions will be answered, Captain. The review of the two most senior officers will begin after a brief recess. The remainder of your senior staff is dismissed, and are hereby formally relieved. The committee thanks you all for your fine efforts." 

There were looks of confusion around the table as Janeway nodded for them all to depart. After a hesitant moment, they all left, leaving only Kathryn and Chakotay before the committee. Without the buffer of the rest of her staff, the table looked somehow longer. The Admiral's were cloistered at one end of table and she and Chakotay at the other. Squared off as if in battle. The initial coziness of the room was no longer in evidence. 

Kathryn didn't like the way Rand nodded toward Admiral Nohau and then settled into his seat. She could feel the apprehensive breath Chakotay drew in as the Nohau rose to his feet; she practically breathed it with him. As the man rose, the doors opened at the end of the room and two armed guards entered. 

Nohau began to speak. "Chakotay. By the authority vested in me and in the name of the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, I place you under arrest on the charge of murder, destruction of Federation property and treason." 

Kathryn gasped, stunned. The entire proceeding began to have a feeling of unreality as the two guards moved quickly toward Chakotay and hauled him up out of the chair. She moved quickly to her feet, "What's going on here? The Maquis were pardoned!" 

"There is no pardon for murder," Nohau answered, nodding that the guards take him away. His eyes were cold, it was obvious that as far as he was concerned the matter was closed. 

Kathryn turned toward Rand in desperation. "Where are you taking him? I demand to see what evidence you have." 

"I apologize that things had to happen this way, Captain. But, I'm going to have to request that you take your seat or the committee will be forced to find you in contempt. Chakotay will be allowed due process and you will be informed of the hearing schedule." Rand spoke firmly, reasonably. 

Kathryn sank obediently into her seat, her eyes following Chakotay as he was pulled through the door. She continued to stare for long moments after he'd gone. How had this happened? How could Chakotay be guilty of murder? 

"Captain Janeway." Admiral Rand's voice sounded again in the chamber. She turned resolutely in her seat and faced him. His sympathetic gaze wasn't completely lost on her. "I know that the timing of these matters is not optimum. But we must now review your actions while in the Delta Quadrant. There are several instances..." 

Kathryn swallowed, forcibly pulling herself together as the panel began asking questions. The first of many came from Admiral Stirum Nohau. 
*** 

Kathryn heaved a sigh as she settled into her seat for the return trip to Voyager. The passenger area was otherwise empty, which was a good thing under the circumstances. She was angry, almost beyond reason. Starfleet had grilled her on decision after decision, most of which concerned Chakotay in some way or another. They'd even questioned the number of shuttles he'd lost and the lack of reprimands for the incidents. She'd answered every question they'd asked, careful to hold on to her temper. But when Nohau had had the nerve to ask whether she'd become intimate with Chakotay, she'd seen red. 

Rand had interrupted at that point, saying that Starfleet did not regulate the personal lives of its officers. Nohau had seemed prepared to argue, but Rand continued to speak, asking if any of the others had anything further. He then ordered the hearing closed, and informed Kathryn that she was free to go. She was to report back the next day at 1500 hours for the decision of the committee. 

There was a melodic tone as the shuttle lifted into the late afternoon sky. The fog was beginning to roll in off the bay, and the view was gorgeous. But Kathryn couldn't see any of it. It was a force of will to simply unclench her fists and activate the communications device that was built into the seat. 
-- -- 

Chakotay cracked an eye open as the lights in his cell brightened. It took a moment to focus while his eyes adjusted to the illumination. "Kathryn?" His vision cleared after a moment to reveal a red-headed woman dressed smartly in a gray tunic outfit. 

"Sorry to disappoint you," she smiled. "I'm Geneva Smitham, a friend of Kathryn Janeway." She gestured to the guard, who lowered the force-field to allow her entry. Placing a dark case on the floor near the entrance, she stepped toward him and offered her hand. "Obviously you're Chakotay." 

Chakotay rose to his feet and took it. "Yes," he said, glancing around the small quarters. The only area available for sitting was the bunk he'd risen from. He gestured toward it. "Would you like to sit? I'd offer a beverage, but at the moment I'm a bit cut off from anything beyond water." 

Geneva's smile widened. "It's good to see your spirits are good. That'll make Katie feel better." 

Chakotay's smile faded slightly. He'd wondered why she hadn't come. "Are they still busy with her debriefing?" 

Geneva shook her head. "Normally the only person you'd be seeing right now is your Federation appointed counsel. But, Kathryn and I go back a ways. She asked me to take your case. Speaking of which, I have something for you. I've already cleared it with the guards." 

Chakotay watched as the woman retrieved the dark case near the entrance. As she fumbled through its contents, he asked his next question. "How does it look?" 

Geneva paused in her search to chew at the side of her lip. "I've dealt with Nohau before. He's a hard one. On a charge this serious, I'd say 10 years in a rehabilitation facility. And that only because I could probably get the five years you spent on Voyager to count as good behavior." 

Chakotay's eyes widened. Ten years? "Where do you think it'll be?" he asked, sounding a bit shocked. 

Geneva looked at him oddly as she found what she was looking for. "Aren't we getting just a bit ahead of ourselves here? Don't you want to even know who you're supposed to have killed? Katie doesn't believe you did it. Do you want to tell me otherwise?" She extended a wrapped object. 

His medicine bundle. "Thank you," Chakotay smiled, taking the familiar item. Kathryn must have gotten it for him. Laying the leather pouch carefully atop his pillow, he continued. "We fought a lot of Cardassians, I'm sure there were casualties." 

"They aren't after you for the Cardassians. The serious charge is for the crew of the Gallant." 

"The Gallant?" Chakotay frowned. "Never heard of it. And I'm sure I should have if I'm supposed to have murdered them." 

Geneva nodded, conceding his point. "The USS Gallant was a small medical vessel. Her hull would have been clearly marked with the symbol of Starfleet medical. Her mission was to offer humanitarian aid to a number of Hotopi settlements. They'd had a severe outbreak of Rumeri fever that year. The ship was supposed to make a circuit, stopping at each of the settlements, which as you know, border the badlands, and then return to restock before going to the Tokis sector. They never made it back to DS9. It vanished sometime during its tour of the Hotopi. Then, three months later, this arrives at Starfleet." She held up a data disk. 

"No name, no explanation. Just some very interesting video. The assumption is that a member of your Maquis crew turned it in." 

Chakotay eyed the recording, an uneasy sensation centered in the pit of his stomach. 
-- -- 

Kathryn stared out of her ready room window. Actually, it was soon to be someone else's ready room window. Starfleet had decided to upgrade Voyager and keep her in commission, borg enhancements intact. Technicians and Engineers were all over the ship studying and cataloging all of the data the vessel had brought back from parts distant. Starfleet was especially interested in the wormhole and the Teloran's technology. 

Kathryn sighed as she allowed those thoughts to cycle through her mind. Soon non of this would be any of her concern. No more reports to be read or filed, no mission briefings. Voyager would soon have a new Captain. It wasn't like that Starfleet would send her out on another mission after having been gone for five years. No, her fate would no doubt would be desk-job purgatory. 

She would be offered the standard package of retraining, or perhaps some cushy position in some significant, yet out of the way department. Mostly likely on Earth, or in the Sol system. None of it sounded especially inviting. 

But she'd gotten them home. Just like she'd promised. What she would do next didn't matter. Freeing Chakotay was the important thing, and the suspense was killing her. 

Her chime sounded, interrupting her thoughts. "Come in." 

She glanced up and was surprised to see Seven of Nine dressed in normal 23rd century civilian attire. Were it not for the borg accessories, she might easily have passed for an ordinary human female in her mid-twenties. "How was New Sweden?" she asked. 

Kathryn had helped her find remaining members of her family on Earth once the communications ban had been lifted. The young woman had seemed almost excited to learn of those relatives, while at once frightened at the idea of meeting them. Starfleet had cleared her to depart Voyager five days into the debriefing, along with the Starfleet crew members. 

The older woman, Leona Hansen, currently living in New Sweden, had been overjoyed to know that she had a granddaughter. Although the two women were light years apart in demeanor, the bond that was growing between them reassured Kathryn that whether Seven took Starfleet's offer or joined with her Earth family, she wouldn't be alone. 

"Cold," was the brisk reply. "I learned of what happened to Commander Chakotay and have returned to offer my assistance." 

Kathryn was surprised to say the least. Seven was the last person she'd expected to rush back for purely emotional reasons. "Thank you, Seven. But how did you find out?" The news hadn't been released to the press yet. 

Kathryn received her third shock of the day. "I contacted B'Elanna. She informed me of the situation." 

"Really?" she asked. What could Seven and B'Elanna possibly have to discuss? Little more than a week prior they'd been at one another's throats. 

"Really." Seven replied. "I have been considering applying to Starfleet. I thought that B'Elanna could offer some insight. We have some attitudes in common, and Tuvok suggested that she could offer assistance in my decision." 

Right. Tuvok. He'd been awfully busy getting people together of late. "There isn't much we can do yet. I've asked a friend take his case. She's with him now. Until the evidence against him is released to counsel, we won't know anything." 

"Then I will wait." 
-- -- 

"So, Care to tell me about it?" 

Chakotay snapped out of his reverie at Geneva's words. He was shocked over the scene that had just played out on the video recording. So many wounded... So many dead. 

"I..It was a long time ago," he said softly, staring at his hands. So long ago. He'd thought that he'd never have to revisit those dark days. They were long passed. 

"Yes, 5 years and 7 months according to the time index on the video," Geneva prompted softly, tilting her head slightly closer. "Were you there, Chakotay?" 

"Yes," Chakotay glanced up to say. His gaze drifted slightly left. A small device was tucked behind her left ear where a tiny green light flashed almost imperceptibly. He sat up straighter and cleared his throat. 

She fingering the device. "You should know that this is standard operating procedure for any attorney on this type of case. I want to help you, but you're going to have open up and tell me everything. We don't have the luxury of time because in two days, a hearing is going to convene to determine whether or not you are locked up for the next ten years. The gloves are off, Chakotay. The Federation is going to come at you with both barrels. As things stand they have a pretty good case. Unless you plan on pleading guilty, you're going to have to give me something to fight with." 

Chakotay bit the inside of his lip. "What if it's all true. What if I am responsible for the lives of those people?" 

Geneva paused, obviously not expecting that response. "What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me you're guilty?" 

"It's possible." 

"Possible? Is that a yes or a no?" 

"That's a maybe." Chakotay responded. 

Geneva threw her arms up in exasperation. "Guilty or not guilty? It can't be both ways. Why are you making this so difficult?" 

"I'm not trying to make it difficult," Chakotay sighed. "I was there, just like the tape shows. My ship is shown destroying that other vessel, I can't deny that. I don't have anything to offer." 

"There has to be something. Just tell me what happened." 

"I was there, isn't that enough? I don't know what else happened. I'm sorry to have wasted your time." 

Geneva looked around the room and shook her head. "Katie sure had you all wrong, didn't she? She contacts me and asks me to take on this *hopeless* case, and I do it. Why? Because she believes in you. She *convinced* me that there was some mistake. That there was no way you could have done this thing. That the two of you would fight it. She's up on the ship now trying to find a way to get you out of here. And what do you do? You just speak in ambiguities. Maybe you're guilty; maybe you're not. At this point, no one can help you but you." 

Chakotay sat silently. Maybe it was better this way. Kathryn could continue her career without the burden of being entangled with an outlaw and a branded murderer. He'd always fought for justice, except once. And it had come back to haunt him. He deserved what came to him. 

Geneva sighed loudly, picked up her case and headed for the force-field. "They're not going to let her see you, you know. If you go in there and plead guilty or even no contest, they're going to go directly to sentencing. And you can bet they're going to throw the book at you. Katie's never going to know what happened, never going to know your side." 

He remained silent. 

Geneva crossed the room and stood in front of him. "Chakotay, right now everyone is uncertain as to what to believe. But Kathryn has given you the benefit of the doubt. She has faith in you. I know that the two of you have been through a lot, and that can forge a special kind of friendship. But if you leave things this way, cause her to loose faith, then she will be forced to call into question everything that may have happened in the past. Everything you worked hard to built over the past few years will be gone, and she'll be left with nothing. Is that what you want?" 

Chakotay looked up. "What did she tell you?" 

"She didn't have to tell me anything." 

Chakotay ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll tell you what happened. But then you have to do something for me." 

Geneva nodded and replaced her case. "Of course. This is still on the record," she warned. 

Chakotay nodded his agreement. Then, taking a deep breath, he began speaking. "It was during a time when we were suffering terrible losses. We learned of some information that was very personal to me in particular." 

"What type of information?" 

"Information that led us to the Cardassian Gul who was in charge of the campaign against my homeworld. Everyone I knew there died in that attack. They were ruthless. I remember the bodies...so many bodies."  As he said the words, he was swept back to that time, to those dark days when all he knew was war and anger and a desire for vengeance. 

^^^^ 

Night on Hellica 7 was a relative term. The dual suns didn't set completely for half the year, and didn't rise completely for the other half, resulting in a perpetual twilight. Cold or warm was dependent on which the suns weren't doing. It was just his luck that that they weren't setting - it was hotter than a Vulcan bathhouse. He rubbed a hand across his brow and double-checked the position of the guards outside the storage facility. Just as he'd suspected, they were still seated at a temp table outside the building, playing a game of tetrack. 

A body slipped up behind him and touched his hand. Seska. "Did you find anything we could use?" he asked her, not bothering to turn around. 

"Yes," she smiled gleefully in the darkness. "These." She held up a pair of Cardassian concussion bolts. "We could tie them into our forward defense systems for special occasions," she said. 

"Good." He nodded grimly. Seska was especially good at acquiring things. She had a knack.  He'd leave it up to she and B'Elanna to put that plan into action. They'd already refitted their weapons array with a number of 'spare' Cardassian parts. Nothing was wasted. "Any prisoners?" 

"No," she said solemnly, seemingly put off by his lack of enthusiasm. "Our information was correct. Looks like they're trying to set up a listening post here. All of the inhabitants have been moved out. Nothing but Cardassians." 

"All right." Chakotay moved around the edge of the building. "Get back to the ship. B'Elanna's diversion should begin any minute now." 

Seska opened her mouth to argue. Chakotay had come to expect that. But instead of voicing her opinion, she simply closed her mouth and moved quietly away. 

He refocused his attention on the two guards, and wiped at his brow again. Several minutes passed before there was a brief flash of transporter energy and a large snake appeared beneath the table at which the guards were playing. The snake was the type that rattled as it moved. Both men were immediately on their feet and scurrying for their weapons. Chakotay seized the opportunity to make his move. While the guides were busy shooting at the snake, Chakotay stunned first one and then the other. 

Slipping quickly into the generator room, he found complete darkness. Only the flash of red and green lights alerted him as to the location of the generator console. Removing a small light pack from his waist belt, he crept along the perimeter of the room. He was careful to avoid the booby-trapped center of the floor, having learned the hard way about Cardassian traps. 

He'd just reached the console and was preparing to initiate the sequence to deactivate the field when he heard a slight shuffling behind him. Spinning quickly, he got off a shot and spun back to finish the job, not waiting to hear the body fall. There was a slow winding sound as the field generators shut off. 

He took a step back and aimed his weapon at the console, preparing to destroy it. No point in leaving it intact for someone to simply come in and reactivate. Half a second after the burst of energy left his phaser, something caught him along his right arm. His weapon and flood light both went flying. The room was again plunged in complete darkness save for the occasional spark of the ruined control panel. 

He fell against a side wall at the force of the blow and a body jumped on him, bashing his head into something hard and unforgiving. He crumpled to the floor, mildly dazed, but coherent enough to roll to avoid his attacker's next attempt. As he rolled he bent toward his boot and grasped his spare phaser. Aiming at sound alone, he heard a cry as the energy blast met its mark. The image of a Cardassian face was briefly visible in the phaser's blue light before he collapsed half on top of Chakotay. 

Chakotay cursed as he pushed the body off himself. Tapping three times at a point on his tool belt disguised as a decoration, he signaled B'Elanna to beam him up. As he rolled off of the small transporter PADD, things were beginning to blur in earnest, but he had a job to do. 

Pausing a moment to clear his head, he got his feet under him and continued on toward his ship's small bridge. "What's the situation?" he bellowed, immediately regretting it as the sound echoed through his brain. 

"Whatever we're going to do, we'd better do it fast," B'Elanna was saying, barely giving him a glance. "They're hailing us." 

"They're trying to stall. Answer it." 

The image of a Cardassian male appeared on the screen. "I am Zennat, leader of this science team and I demand to know what is the meaning of this?!" The Cardassian's eyes flashed with righteous indignation. "We are on a peaceful mission. Your attack is unprovoked!" 

The fact that that man was dressed in sleeping robes barely registered as burning anger lit Chakotay's insides. Zennat. The Cardassian's name was familiar. "Just as your attack on my homeworld was unprovoked!" 

Zennat eyed him more closely, his eyes lingering over the tattoo. A tiny smile began at the corners of his lips. "I'm sure you are mistaken," he said, much more calmly. "We have an agreement with your Federation. You would not want to trespass the laws of your own government?" 

Chakotay sneered at the man and was about to say more, but B'Elanna made a small motion from his right. 

His eyes strayed to the small screen set between the two of them. The indicator showed that power was again building on the surface of the planet. Either they'd found a way to get their generator back on line, or they were preparing to fire a ground based weapons system. 

Chakotay's eyes met the Cardassian's again. "I know who you are. And I've waited for this day a very long time." Moving a hand toward the weapons panel, he tapped the command that would send the missiles to the designated spots on the planet's surface. 

"This is for my family," he said and cut the communication. Immediately there was a large explosion on the surface of the planet. The light was so brilliant it lit up the forward view screen.  Within moments preliminary readings began to come in. The listening post had received heavy damages, but one of the targeted sites had been left undamaged. 

A bolt of phaser energy shot from the surface, impacting the vessel along its outer edge. The vessel rocked as one of the consoles exploded, raining sparks in the tiny space. 

Chakotay spun in his seat. "What the hell happened!?" he demanded, shutting off the audible alarm that told him targeting scanners were out. 

Seska turned toward him. "One of the charges didn't go off. I think it's the one at the docking port. We need to get down there and take out those ships!" 
 
He swore under his breath and grasping the controls headed for atmosphere. The ships outer lights illuminated the ground as a number of Cardassian troops headed for the craft that were docked off to one side of the camp. 

B'Elanna did not have to be told what he wanted. She was already attempting to manually target the craft. 

She grunted under her breath as three of her shots went wide at the ship's unsteady wobbling. "Do you need Jonas to take over?" she asked. 

"Not now!" Chakotay gritted his teeth, and forced himself to focus. The controls were beginning to blur slightly around the edges, but while they were flying so low to the ground was no time to try to turn the controls over. And he wouldn't be any better at weapons. Jonas was right where he needed to be. Chakotay would simply have to hold it together. 

"That's better," B'Elanna murmured in satisfaction as three ships went up in flame in quick succession. "Three to go." 

Another of the ground to air phaser canon's hit their mark, glancing a port engine. The ship bucked and went into a spin, on a collision course for one of the ships that were lifting off of the ground. 

Growling, Chakotay fought against the damaged engine and momentum, arcing away from the enemy craft with no more than ten meters to spare. As they pulled away from it, B'Elanna nailed it with the aft weapons array. It crashed into the ground, damaging another of the ships that was preparing to maneuver into the air. The remaining vessel went up a in a ball of fire soon after. 

Chakotay's last conscious action was to point the vessel in the direction of space. He vaguely registered  B'Elanna urging Jonas to take the controls. There was a sense of forward motion and then nothing. 

 ^^^^ 
 
"When I woke up," Chakotay turned toward Geneva as he came back to the present. "B'Elanna was patching me up and we were light years from Hellica 7. I didn't know about any Starfleet ships or Hotopi in the area. And whatever fighting that went on after wasn't much of a cause for discussion because we were immediately caught up in the middle of another battle." 

Geneva straightened thoughtfully, then considered him. "Do you think the crew that remained on the bridge were likely to attack a Starfleet vessel without your having knowledge of it?" 

Chakotay sighed. "Considering it was Jonas and Seska, probably. That ground laser was probably still firing at us...  I can only guess they took that out and anything else that fired at them. They are the two people that I'm completely unqualified to vouch for." 

Geneva nodded. "Any idea who might have made a recording of the event and then forwarded it to the Federation?" 

Chakotay shook his head. "The two on the bridge perhaps. But they are both dead. Either way, I was there when they said I was there. People died. I led the attack. I should have checked myself for any other vessels, but I didn't. I trusted my crew. I'm responsible. I appreciate your efforts to defend me... but--" 

"No." Geneva cut him off. "If the members of your former crew corroborate your story, that might help your case..." 

"I don't want them involved," Chakotay insisted. "They've been pardoned. I don't want to put them in jeopardy." 

"Chakotay..." Geneva was insistent. 

"No. You promised to do something for me." 

"What is it?" 

"Just...give Kathryn a message for me." 
 
-- -- 

"Come in," Kathryn called as her door chime rang yet again. At least she'd made it to her quarters. The doors opened to reveal Tuvok. 

"Make yourself at home," she gestured toward her sofa where Tom, B'Elanna, Seven and Neelix currently sat. Harry'd contacted her several times as had a number of the crew and friends among the Starfleet hierarchy, offering any help they could. Kathryn had set her message center to record only. She didn't want to have to face one more sympathetic face. The current occupants of the room were a little more difficult since they seemed to have become permanently attached to her sofa. 

Tuvok accepted his seat with only a slightly raised brow. Kathryn was about to try to dissuade Neelix from serving refreshments, when her door chime rang. "Oh, who is it now?" she murmured under her breath. Then more loudly. "Come in!" 

The door swished open to reveal Geneva Smitham. "Now Katie, is that any way to greet an old friend?" 

"Katie?" Tom Paris queried with intense curiosity. Kathryn steadfastly ignored him as she moved to hug the woman. 

"I thought I asked you not to call me that," she murmured near the woman's ear. 

"Oh, but it's so much more fun," Geneva replied with a grin. Then turning toward the other occupants of the room. "Since *Captain Janeway* hasn't bothered to introduce me, I'm Geneva Smitham. I'll be the attorney handling Chakotay's case." 

The questions began immediately. Kathryn held up her hands for silence. "Thank you all for being here. But, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with Ms. Smitham alone." 

When they'd all departed, she spun on the woman. "What did you find out? What is the Federation's evidence? They wouldn't let me see anything until it had been given to counsel. Do they have a case?" 

Geneva settled on the sofa and opened her attache. Her expression was grim. "Katie, they have a very strong case. An anonymous member of his Maquis crew forwarded a video to Starfleet outlining the crimes they're alleging.  Something that works in his favor is that Tuvok's profile doesn't jibe with what the video suggests. The word of a Vulcan goes a long way. But on the other hand, since Chakotay admitted that he'd been out for vengeance... There's a question of intent." 

Kathryn nodded sadly. After having searched through so many cases in her quest to free the Maquis, she'd become very familiar with terms such as intent. During all the time she'd known Chakotay, and in spite of all the stories he'd told, he had never said much about his time in the Maquis.   Yet, the Chakotay she knew was not a cold-blooded killer. She couldn't believe that he would be one in any situation. 

The woman studied her for a moment. "I have a copy of the tape. But I want to warn you: It's not pretty." 

"I've seen a lot of things, Ve. I've seen ships ravaged after the Borg have devastated them. I've seen natural disasters that left entire worlds in shambles." 

"Yes," Geneva agreed. "But you haven't seen beings murdered like these were, and you haven't had the accused be someone close to you." 

Kathryn couldn't argue that one. "I want to see what's on that tape." 

Geneva nodded and inserted the device. "One of these is his version of events, and the other is a copy of the recording received by the Federation." 

Kathryn watched with increasing horror as the tape played. The reception was horrible, and continued to fade in and out as if it the recording device were low on power. It show clips of Chakotay talking to a Cardassian male. There was something about Federation rules and then the image flickered to static again. There was the chilling sound of Chakotay's soft voice speaking. "This is for my family." And then the next images appeared. These showed a vessel firing then more static, and then they were inside the planet's atmosphere. In one shot, dual suns could be seen just above the horizon as the small vessel went into an attack posture, then there were more static and more images finally that of a Starfleet craft being shot down then static and bodies scattered along the ground. Kathryn gasped in shock as phaser fire was directed at the survivors. 

Kathryn was still stunned as Geneva quietly inserted the next recording. The camera focused in on Chakotay's bowed head as he began to tell his story. When he looked up into the video pick-up, she saw that a darkness had entered his eyes. One that she hadn't seen for a very long time. She listened all the way through until the image faded to black. Then she simply stared at the blank screen, unable for a moment to wrap her mind around the enormity of the situation. She turned away only when Geneva touched her arm. "You never did go for the easy ones, did you?" 

Kathryn shook her head. "Not my style." 

Geneva nodded. "I think he's remorseful. In fact, if you want my opinion, it's tearing him apart. It's going to be difficult, but I think I can get his sentence lowered, maybe a year. Only, there's one small problem." 

"What's that?" 

"He feels that he deserves the punishment, that he's solely responsible for the lives of anyone who died at the hands of his crew. He's going to plead no contest. He...uh asked me to deliver a message to you." 

Kathryn froze. She was afraid to ask. "What's the message?" 

"He told me to give you this, and to tell you...to get on with your life." 

Kathryn stared as the woman placed the shiny circular disk in her palm. She felt something warm and wet hit her hand, followed by another. She vaguely heard Geneva calling her name... 
-- -- 

Kathryn opened her eyes to find the Doctor standing over her. 

"Ah, you've awakened. I'll wager your body is thanking me for providing it with 9 consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep." 

Kathryn moved slowly into a sitting position. She was in her quarters, in her bed and unfortunately it was all coming back to her. She, Kathryn Janeway, the woman who would fight a league of borg, and had, to get her crew home, had fainted. She moaned as she threw her legs over the side. "Was there something wrong with me?" she asked. 

"Only severe emotional trauma, lack of proper rest for the past five years, extreme stress. It all came back, as they say 'to haunt you'." The Doctor frowned, as he continued to examine her. "I am sorry to hear about Commander Chakotay. If there is anything I can do..." 

"No," Kathryn said. "Thank you..." Pushing herself completely to her feet, she headed toward her living area. She was surprised to find Geneva dressed in a different suit, seated at her table drinking coffee. The Doctor quietly slipped out of the room with a comment about lack of appreciation for house calls. 

"Good morning, " the woman smiled gently. "How you feeling?" 

"Does the term 'train wreck' mean anything to you?" 

"No. But it sure sounds like some place I've been before." 

Kathryn managed a small smile. "So, did I miss anything?" 

Geneva smiled wryly. "You always wanted the bad new first. So - Chakotay's predicament...it leaked. Don't go down to the planet, it's a mad house." 

Kathryn sighed and collected a cup of coffee from the replicator. "Why am I not surprised?" 

Geneva shrugged and continued. "The good news: This crew of yours is marvelous! Tom, Seven, B'Elanna and Tuvok are holed up in something called the astrometrics lab...said it's the only place onboard they can have privacy and all work at the same time. They're going through that recording with a fine tooth comb...Everyone still onboard have come forward and offered statements for Chakotay. Looks like he garnered a lot of respect around here. According to my office, statements keep coming in from members of Starfleet who knew him." 

Kathryn's brows went up. She was touched by the outpouring of support from those who hadn't seen him for so many years. She felt certain that if she checked her message center there would be more from members of the crew who'd gone home to be with their families. Speaking of which.... "I need to contact..."  She was already halfway out of her seat. 

"Done. I told your mom that you were resting and would contact her as soon as you could." 

"Wow. Thanks." She settled back against the cushion. Then thinking of something else she could do, she made ready to move. 

"How long have you been in love with him?" Geneva asked with a gentle smile, halting her motion. 

Kathryn glanced cautiously toward her, then realizing that this was her old friend replied simply. "Forever." Laughing quietly at herself, she continued. "I don't know. I don't even know how it happened. It just... sneaked up on me." 

Geneva grinned at her. "That's the best kind. For what it's worth, I know he loves you, too. It's written all over him. You're so lucky, Katie." 

Kathryn moaned. "I don't feel lucky." She felt more like a part of her was being torn away. Gazing out the window at the starfield, she continued. "We've been through so much together. I know that he's trying to protect me and the crew from any backlash caused by this...incident. I just wish..." Kathryn broke off, sighing. 

Geneva placed one of her hands over Kathryn's. "We'll find something to make him change his mind. Meanwhile, I've got a couple dozen legal geniuses on the job. With you me and the miracle crew...we stand a better than average chance." 

Kathryn chuckled in spite of herself at Geneva's antics. "Only you wouldn't realize that our odds stink." 

"Katie, Katie, Katie. You never used to let a little thing like the odds get in your way. We've not yet begun to fight! Rally up, old girl. It's crunch time!" 

"Who are you calling old?" Kathryn did laugh this time. 

"Gotcha!" Geneva smiled triumphantly. 
-- -- 
 
"Lieutenant Carey! Lieutenant Carey! You were a member of the Voyager crew, weren't you?" Joseph Carey looked around in surprise at the crowd that had gathered outside of a restaurant in Lincoln Nebraska. 

"Yes, yes I am." He said. "It's good to be home." 

"I'm sure it is," the young news woman smiled, careful to look into the camera at regular intervals. "Do you mind if we get your opinion on the arrest of Voyager's former Maquis first officer?" 

"Huh?" Joe looked genuinely confused. "I thought everyone was pardoned. Are you sure?" 

The news woman chuckled briefly. "Yesterday afternoon the Maquis Chakotay was taken into custody by Federation officials for murder and treason. He stands accused of slaughtering the crew of a Starfleet medical vessel on the outskirts of the DMZ." 

"No. That can't be right." Joe frowned. 

"It is true Mr. Carey. Do you think he did it?" 

"No. Absolutely not. I can't believe that. Commander Chakotay? No, that's just not like him." 

"How can you be sure he didn't change after he came aboard Voyager?" the perky newswoman asked. 

"Well, he did change," Joe looked at her oddly as he continued. "But, he was never the type to kill indiscriminately. The guy... he has a respect for life. After five years of being with a group of people, you come to know them, like family. No. I don't believe he did this." Joe turned and looked out over the crowd, before putting up a hand. "No more questions, please. No more questions."  With that he turned and walked back into the restaurant. 

The news camera followed him in before panning back to the news woman. "There you have it. The opinion of one of the Starfleet members of Voyager's crew, newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Joseph Carey at the Carey family restaurant in Lincoln Nebraska. We'll return later with more breaking news on this legendary journey home. Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning as we offer full coverage of the hearing of Maquis Chakotay." 

The image faded to the grainy still image that had appeared on Chakotay's arrest warrant. He'd been dressed in his Maquis uniform and wore a fierce expression. He looked every bit the hostile the Federation thought he'd become. 

Kathryn shut off the feed. She'd had just about enough of the press coverage. 

She glanced up at the rest of the gathered group. Theirs were brief glances in her direction, but no one commented. They probably knew better; in her current mood she was likely to bite someone's head off. Even Geneva went silently back to her legal correspondence. 

Having found no information of value after hours of tedious research, Kathryn's nerves were on edge. She needed an enemy she could face down, not dry legal documents. But she couldn't stop, now. Chakotay was depending on-- She pressed the button to advance more firmly than was necessary. No, he wasn't depending on her. He'd given up. But she wouldn't, couldn't. Her steadily degrading thought process was interrupted by a gasp from Tom Paris. 

"Would you look at that?" he drawled. 

Kathryn, immediately alert, abandoned her search and approached his console. "Have you found something?" 

"I think so," Tom nodded. He glanced toward Harry who had returned despite Kathryn's assurances. "Well, it was actually Harry's idea," he added. 
 
Harry smirked. "Actually, you're the one who--" 

"Gentleman," Kathryn interrupted. "I really don't care whose idea it was. You both have equal credit. Now, tell me what I'm looking at." 

Tom smiled and began to explain what he'd done.  "We were trying to find a way to prove that this tape was faked *we*," he gestured to Harry. "Noticed that there's ice in some spots on the ground. Well, that led us to do a check of the planet itself. Hellica 7 has an odd star configuration. It's year is approximately 107 days long. For 53 of those days it's well, hot and for the other 54 days Hellica practically freezes over." Tom allowed a moment for everyone to enjoy his play on words... at Kathryn's stern look he cleared his throat and continued. 

"Well, sections of the tape as well as Chakotay's statement suggests that he was there during the hot time of the year. When it's hot, the large sun is in prominence - as you see here." The image on the screen was that of one of the Cardassian ships as it was rising into the air. A burst of energy had just fired from the Maquis ship's forward weapons array. Tom froze the image and tapped a control. A cross-hair centered over each of the suns, moving outward as they triangulated and calculated various aspects of the stars based on known information. A readout ran down the side of the console showing definitively that the larger sun was closer. 

"But," Tom went on, tapping another button which advanced the tape forward to a segment that showed a long shot at the Gallant. The suns were just visible in the corner of the image. "Here, during the attack on the Gallant, the smaller sun is in prominence." The cross-hairs appeared again, along with the readout. The smaller sun shone less brightly. Tom gestured to patches along a slight rise in the background. "Ice," he said. "Of course, if you just glance at is it looks like a reflection of phaser fire, but look here..." He touched another command and the image advanced further and then began to move in slow motion. A crucial hit was made against the Gallant and the entire aft section of the craft exploded causing the rest of the vessel to crash to the ground. 

Tom placed a highlighted indicator over the left edge of the screen where the 'ice-patch' was still visible. As they watched a small section of the ship blew off and landed in the ice. There was a quick flash. Tom enhanced the small section and expanded it to full screen and then played it back in extreme slow motion. A piece of red hot metal landed in the ice, causing it to quickly liquefy, then vaporize. 

Tom stood back beside Kim with a cocky grin. Kathryn had the urge to hug him - which probably would have served him right, or at least wiped the self-satisfied smirk off his face. But, she was so proud of them, she decided she's let him have his smirks. 

She patted them both on the backs. "Good job Tom and Harry. That's just the type of proof we need. Have you found out how they did it without leaving traces of the forgery?" 

"No," They shook their heads. "Seska had to have had help on this one. I'd say it's pretty obvious who." 

"Wait a minute," Geneva spoke up. "Let's make sure the attorney follows, here. What you're saying is that when the video of the Gallant's destruction was taken, this planet was experiencing winter temperatures. And when the video of Chakotay's ship firing on the Cardassians was taken it was summer?" Geneva seemed amazed. "That's an awful lot of trouble for one Maquis captain." 

"With Seska involved, there was always an ulterior motive." B'Elanna snorted. "She gave us all sorts of trouble in the Delta Quadrant and Jonas was secretly working for her." 

"Oh," Geneva's brows went up. "Maybe the Cardassians wanted to give the Federation a bigger reason to go after the Maquis." 

"True," Kathryn nodded. "There were rumors of several more Maquis-related exercises in the works when I left to get Chakotay. And from the looks of things, it was starting to work." 

"We're still going to have to prove that Chakotay wasn't anywhere near that planet during the winter," Geneva said. 

"Would not a study of the ruins have shown when the ship went down?" Tuvok asked. "Surely there was an investigation of the site." 

"Errr, well, at that time there was some speculation as to whether or not the crew of the Gallant had defected to the Maquis - several of the ship's crew turned out to have family in the DMZ. So, there wasn't much of an investigation. By the time they got the video and began an investigation, it was difficult to tell what had happened. The planetary conditions weren't conducive to preserving evidence and it didn't help that so many Maquis ships used Cardassian weaponry." 

"Can you get us a copy of that report, anyway?" Kathryn asked. "There might be something..." 

"Also, Federation records on Maquis movements might prove useful," Seven spoke up. "Perhaps there is something we can extrapolate from their database that might place Commander Chakotay's vessel elsewhere during the planet's winter cycle." 

"Good idea." Kathryn nodded toward the young woman. 

"That shouldn't  be too much a problem," Geneva said with a triumphant smile. "I need to contact my office. Give me a minute." She separated from the group to use a far console for the communication. 

Kathryn released a hopeful breath. This defense was starting to shape up. If they were lucky, she could deliver her information to the judge that very afternoon. 
-- -- 

Chakotay stared at his medicine bundle. It really had been thoughtful of Kathryn to send it. He'd always found peace when he meditated. Today, however, he couldn't bring himself to do it. 

He allowed his eyes to drift closed as he thought of the last time he'd meditated. What had Dredek said? 'Your conscience is clear'. Those words had comforted him before, now they burned. He was guilty. 

There was a sound at the open end of the cell as one of the guards delivered his dinner. He didn't move as the tray was deposited near the entry. The guard wordlessly backed out of the room and went back to his console. 

The smells began to waft in Chakotay's direction. Curry. Normally just the thought would have made his mouth water. But now, he felt nauseous. He thought of asking that the guard take it away, but decided against it. Instead, he rolled his back toward the tray and thought again of the people who had died on Hellica 7. 
-- -- 

"I could get used to this," Geneva said as she and Kathryn materialized onboard Voyager. 

Kathryn merely glanced in her direction and smiled. Her thoughts were consumed with the contents of the PADD she held. She'd have to make a decision and soon. 

"I know these are commonplace to you," Geneva continued happily. "But for those of us mere mortals who don't travel the stars on Federation vessels, these are not an every day occurrence." 

Kathryn gave the woman a distracted look. "Shouldn't you be doing something?" she questioned. 

"No," Geneva smiled patiently. "Seems that you've taken care of that. Those Admiral's don't have a leg to stand on. I'd wager that decision room is going to be full of a lot of very red-faced people." 

Kathryn nodded. She was right about that. Nohau had gone red as soon as she'd told them she had new evidence. That thought did bring a smile to her lips. She looked up to find that Geneva was watching her. 

"Why don't you show me around this ship of yours?" the woman said. Kathryn had a sinking feeling that she had something else entirely in mind. She didn't find out just what until they reached Cartography. 

"Can we take a rest here?" Geneva asked, gesturing toward two chairs positioned before a representation of some distant star system. Starfleet had long since downloaded the logged information, and the room was empty. 

"Why not," Kathryn said. Their conversation had been easy and open, as if the two of them had not been apart for so long. But that was one of the things Kathryn had liked about Ve. She had the ability to pick up as if nothing had changed. After many years and many missions, they had always contacted each other and kept up with their movements. One of the messages she'd received during the time the array was active was from Geneva. 

"This is a beautiful ship, it must be hard for you to give her up." Geneva said. 

"It is," Kathryn agreed. "And it's been our home for so long. It's almost bittersweet being back. We were like a family." 

Geneva smiled, knowingly. "I could tell. I've met Captain's and their crews before. There is a genuine feeling about yours Katie. I wonder where the Federation psychoanalyzers are going to go with that one?" 

"I shudder to think," Kathryn said. "Probably some new illness. Feelslikefamilyitis?" 

"Oh, that was awful." Geneva laughed, delighted. "Have you and Chakotay decided what you're going to do?" 

Kathryn's smile faded slightly. "No. We haven't had much time to talk about it, actually. Dealing with all the paperwork, and meetings and Admiral Nohau kept us both pretty busy. Looking back on it, I think they wanted to make sure they had all the information and that the Maquis were all off ship before they arrested Chakotay." 

"Oh, I'm sure," Geneva said. "That's pretty much the way Nohau operates. But don't change the subject. All of that is pretty much behind you now. It's time to look ahead. What do you *want* to do?" 

Kathryn had to admit that Geneva was right. Almost involuntarily her mind went to New Earth, and an image of the boat Chakotay had planned to build. Still, her answer to Geneva was a shrug and a noncommittal "I don't know." 

"Sure you do," Geneva insisted. "I could see it in your eyes. What were you thinking about?" 

Kathryn considered not telling her, but she found that she wanted to. In the years since New Earth, she'd had no one to discuss the situation with. Of course Chakotay was there, but though neither of them had actually come out and said it, the subject was off limits. It would be good to tell someone. 

"About three years ago, Chakotay and I were stranded on a planet. We were there, alone together, for 4 months. After I got passed my initial stubbornness, those were the happiest days of my life. If I could, I'd like to go back there. If only for a visit." 

Geneva's eyes twinkled. "Why can't you? The wormhole is there -- it works." 

Kathryn shook her head sadly. "Even with the wormhole, it would take ten years. I'm afraid there's no going back." 

"Oh," Geneva said. "That is a long way. But four months -- a guy like him. Must have been very romantic." Geneva's expression gave a very clear image of what she was thinking. 

Kathryn shot her a look. "My, we are certainly full of questions aren't we?" 

"Just curious," Geneva said. "I've never even seen the two of you together. But there's a change in the air just with the mention of the other's name. I'll bet when the two of you are in the same room the sparks fairly fly." 

Kathryn laughed at the woman's outrageous expression. But Geneva wasn't done. 

"Four months is a long time... Is that when the two of you got involved?" 

"No," Kathryn shook her head. "We came back to the ship and went right back to work as if nothing ever happened." 

"But that is when you fell in love?" Geneva asked. 

Kathryn shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? He admitted it then." 

"Did you..." Geneva's voice trailed off suggestively and Kathryn felt herself flushing. 

"No," she said, hiding her face behind her hands. Blushing all the more at being embarrassed over the question. She was a grown woman for heaven's sake. 

"Katie!" Geneva exclaimed. "The two of you have never, have you?! How did you manage to keep your hands off him?" 

Kathryn wanted to sink through the floor. "Ve! We've barely had time to breath let alone..." 

"Katie, Katie, Katie." Geneva shook her head. "We are going to have to have a serious chat about priorities." 
-- -- 
 
"The shocking conclusion to the dramatic story of Maquis Chakotay came to a close today during Starfleet's hearing. 'Hearing' is perhaps a misnomer as no plea was entered and no evidence was presented. The decision was made solely based on information presented to the judge in a closed-door session with the return committee. Our information suggests that Maquis Chakotay was the victim of a Cardassian plot to manipulate the Federation. The Federation has refused to comment, saying only that the information is classified and a matter of galactic security." The news woman's image was replaced by that of the headquarters building. 

"This is a recording of what took place shortly after the judge made his announcement." 

A stunned looking Chakotay walked out the Federation building and was immediately surrounded by a number of former crew members. One in particular stood out as the crowd parted to let her pass. Kathryn Janeway, dressed in civilian business attire walked through the crowds and was swept into Chakotay's arms. The two embraced for long minutes as the news woman's commentary continued. 

"It appears that this story has a romantic ending. Tune in at 6 for our discussion with noted Betazoid Love Doctor Heimerwess who insists that she could sense their love from 60,000 light years...." 

Kathryn shut off the video feed, and turned back to her perusal of the backside of Federation secure docking. She still hadn't gotten around to packing. She couldn't relax. Ever since they'd arrived back from the courthouse, she felt as if she were coming out of her skin. The initial elation as the committee's decision had faded to be replaced by something else. 

She'd ordered Chakotay to sickbay so the Doctor to take a look at him. He'd seemed out of sorts after the decision was announced, but then he'd expected to plead 'not guilty' and then to be sentenced. The suddenness of his release had no doubt come as a shock. 

She reached for the round disk sitting atop the sill of her window. Retrieving hers from her pocket, she compared the two. Both the same, equal in size, both darkened. Obviously the silver effect only worked when they were both in possession of their disks. As she watched, both began to noticeably brighten. 

"Come in," she called at the sound of her chime. Closing her hands around the disks, she turned to greet her visitor. 

Chakotay entered the room as if he'd been running. He faltered as he noticed her standing by the window. "Is something wrong?" he asked and remained near the door. 

Kathryn walked slowly around the sofa and held one closed fist out to him. Chakotay looked confused, but reached for it. She dropped his disk in the palm of his hand and retreated to stand near the sofa. "Why couldn't you just trust me, Chakotay?" 

"What?" Chakotay asked, mild confusion evident on his face. 

"Why didn't you *trust* me?" Kathryn repeated. "Why did you just give up?" 

Chakotay stared at her for a stunned moment before stuttering out a reply. "I...It wasn't that I didn't trust you." He gazed about as if searching for the right words. "I didn't trust *me*. When I saw that tape, I realized that it was entirely possible that it was true. Of course, I didn't intentionally set out to destroy a Federation vessel and I wouldn't have given the command for a wanton slaughter like we saw in that recording. But still, I was in command." 

"I understood your reasoning, Chakotay, for wanting to plead guilty. But why did you give up on us?" She gestured toward the disk she'd given him. 

Chakotay glanced toward it for a second. "I'm marked with a dark past, Kathryn. How could I make your burden lighter if I was dragging you down?" 

"Are you saying that you don't want...?" 

"No! No, Kathryn. Don't think that. I fully expected to be convicted. I didn't want you to feel like you had to wait for me." 

Kathryn sighed and settled tiredly on the sofa. "I suppose I knew on some level that you were trying to protect me. But, don't you see that wasn't your decision to make?" 

"Kathryn, all I can say is I'm sorry." Chakotay moved toward her. 

Kathryn held up a hand to ward him off. "I know, Chakotay. Tomorrow's a big day," she said. "We both still have to pack." 

"Kath--" 

"I need some time, Chakotay. Okay? We'll talk over breakfast." 

Chakotay nodded. Then, almost hesitantly he turned and walked out of the door. 

Kathryn sighed and settled into her sofa. It was time to decide her future. And she didn't even know where to begin. 
-- -- 

Chakotay stood beside Kathryn Janeway in full dress uniform. He wore the official 3 pips of a full Starfleet Commander. The rest of the command crew were formed in a line behind he and Kathryn as they met the new Captain of Voyager. The Doctor was present wearing his autonomous emitter. 

Surrounding the small ceremony was a wall of the media, armed with anti-grav cameras and assorted equipment. The quiet jostle for position fell to silence as the two Captains formally transferred command. The computer dutifully noted the time and date. 

Immediately bulbs flashed and the scurrying began. The crew of Voyager was quickly surrounded by stylishly dressed individuals all seeking to get the exclusive for their networks. The new captain, John Newcastle, raised his voice about the din and spoke. 

"I would remind everyone that this is not a press conference. This is a ceremony to celebrate the home coming of a remarkable ship and her remarkable crew." With that he turned toward Kathryn and Chakotay and murmured. "Not to mention, Starfleet needs a little positive PR." 

Kathryn chuckled, and Chakotay felt sure that he was going to like this man, even though he felt a sense of envy that Voyager would now be in someone else's care. 

He and Kathryn hadn't had an opportunity to enjoy breakfast as the press had began arriving well before the scheduled transfer. They'd both been busy keeping the more resourceful away from sensitive areas of the ship. 

He hoped that since keeping the press in line was someone else's job, he and Kathryn could talk. Unfortunately, before he could act on his plan, Captain Newcastle implemented one of his own. Chakotay was left standing as the man whisked Kathryn away to a table in a shadowed corner. The wink Kathryn threw him over her shoulder however, told him more than words ever could. 

With a laughing sigh, he turned watched her go. When he turned, no less than five people were waiting to speak with him. The one who asked the first question was a dark-haired man who seemed to know him. It took less than thirty seconds for Chakotay to figure out where his questions were going. And ten more seconds to figure out where he'd hidden the camera. The other four were more obvious. Chakotay quickly excused himself, and went toward the buffet table. 

After thirty minutes, his patience was wearing thin. It was definitely time to get out. He searched the room and found Kathryn surrounded by a group of Admirals and decided that she was safe. Tom and B'Elanna had left several minutes earlier, having had their fill of one too many curious reporters. It was his turn. 

Entering his quarters, he looked around, realizing for the first time that that they truly were leaving. Everything that had marked the room as his had been removed and placed in a packaging container. He'd been offered temporary lodging in San Francisco until he made a decision about Starfleet's offer. All that remained was to have the items delivered. 

His clothing was packed in a large duffel that sat alongside the container. It didn't look like much, but it contained everything that he owned. He'd always traveled light. 

Sighing heavily, he moved toward the open top of his duffel bag. He'd riffled through it earlier in an attempt to find one of his shoes. He wasn't at all sure how he'd managed to pack only one. Now that the ceremony was over, he might as well change. He reached up to remove his new pips and smiled. His record had been amended, and he'd been given full rank dating from the date that Kathryn had invited him onboard Voyager. Kathryn was a wonder. 

Placing the pins in a side pouch within the duffel, his hand lingered over a leather object that was just visible beneath a gray shirt. It was his medicine bundle. 

He hadn't been able to meditate before. At such a time of transition, he needed to clear his mind so that he could be open to the possibilities. Removing the bundle, he settled on the floor and placed his objects carefully about him. Last, he activated the akoonah. 

"Chakotay!" 

His eyes snapped open and he found himself in a desert. What had happened? He hadn't meant to come here. He threw up his hands against the biting sands. The scorching heat was already causing beads of perspiration to rise up on his brow. 

"Chakotay!" The voice called again. He spun and saw Dredek seated on a rock. 

The old man began speaking. "I have been searching for you! Why have you not heard?" 

"I'm very far away," Chakotay explained. "The tunnel leads to another part of the galaxy. I couldn't hear you." 

"I understand," the old man said. "Others have come here through your tunnel, Chakotay. They are watching, searching for a weakness. The elders have convened and we do not know what to do. You are the one of us who is wise in these matters. Return and sit counsel with us so that we may decide." 

"Dredek... I... I don't know if..." 

"Chakotay. Your people need you. You cannot turn your back on them. Come and then after return to the one that has stolen your heart. She will wait for you. Come quickly." 

The voice faded away as did the old man and Chakotay opened his eyes. 
-- -- 

Kathryn glanced around the room in search of Chakotay. She hadn't noticed him leaving, and now, she discovered almost everyone was gone save she and Neelix, who was having the time of his life. 

She threaded her way through the crowds, checking a side area of the holographic representation. She turned and saw Chakotay gesturing at her from behind a pair of large ornamental dividers. Looking around, she moved in his direction. She was surprised to note that he was dressed in civilian clothing and had a duffel bag tossed over his shoulder. 

"Kathryn, I have to go." 

"Go? Go where?" she asked. 

Just then, news woman who'd been hounding Kathryn for the better part of the evening appeared. "Don't the two of you make a wonderful couple?" The woman exclaimed with studied phony-ness. 

"Excuse us," Chakotay took Kathryn's hand and pulled her further behind the divider. 

"What's going on?" she asked him. "Why are you leaving?" 

"I have ten minutes to make the transport, but I couldn't leave with saying so. There's no time to explain. I love you." His words all came out in a rush and then he kissed her. They both lingered over it for a moment. "I love you. I'll be back." Then he was gone. 

"Would you like to share your and Maquis Chakotay's plans for the future?" The news woman startled Kathryn by saying. Kathryn spun. Had the woman been eavesdropping? As she noted the small recording device tucked behind the woman's ear, she felt herself reddening. 

"No I wouldn't," she ground out in response to the woman's questions and made her way out of the room before she did anything more for the camera. 
-- -- 

Kathryn gazed morosely out at the horizon. Sixteen days. She'd been at her mother's house for two weeks, one day and eighteen hours and there had been no message from Chakotay. There had been a number of messages forwarded from Starfleet and old friends. Job offers. But from Chakotay, nothing. For sixteen days. After the first few days she'd still felt like a school girl, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. By the start of the second week, she was angry and hurt. Now she was just numb and had to consider the very real possibility that he might not be coming back. 

How could she have been so stupid? He'd just left, hadn't even said where he was going. Not to herself, not to B'Elanna. Not to anyone that they both knew. She'd checked. If she ever saw him again she would... But what if he was hurt? What if...? The circular logic was getting her nowhere but frustrated. 

Her priorities should have been on her future. What was she going to do? The day after she'd turned over command of Voyager, she'd signed her resignation from Starfleet. Several had tried to talk her out of it, but she'd made up her mind. She was ready for something different. 

Several of the positions that had been offered looked promising. There would no doubt be a couple more in her message queue. She didn't care to check. The day before had been Starfleet's official welcome home. There had been speeches, and interviews and all of the things Kathryn had been trying to avoid since they'd been back. 

After the official ceremony, the crew had gathered privately for a huge going away party. Everyone's families had joined together to meet with the people their loved ones had served with for so long. Tuvok's entire family had come. Tom and B'Elanna had made a special announcement. Even the Doctor had made it, with the aid of his autonomous holo-emitter. Only, Chakotay hadn't made it. She'd made some excuse for him, saying that he was out of contact. But the looks of sympathy she'd received had nearly been her undoing. That was when she decided that it was time to start moving again, that she'd been sitting still, putting her entire life on hold while she waited for him to return. 

She stretched out on the green grass and looked toward the sky. It was so wide and blue - it looked limitless, vast and empty. Like her future. How was she going to fill it? 

She closed her eyes and sighed. This wasn't working. 
-- -- 

Chakotay stepped off of the transport at the edge of a long drive. A tiny transport was docked under a tree near a large, welcoming white house. It was made in the traditional style of old earth homes - most of the more modern touches disguised by the old. He smiled. This was the house Kathryn Janeway had grown up in. He could almost imagine her dancing around the yard, pigtails flying as she tried to figure out the solution to some mathematical equation or other. 

He started up the path to the house and was greeted by the sound of barking. An Irish setter bounded playfully around the house toward him. Moments later, a woman with graying red hair and the same bone structure as Kathryn stepped appeared on the porch. 

"Buster! Quiet down!" she urged the animal. The dog obediently ceased barking, but he continued to dance playfully at Chakotay's feet. 

"I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer him," Chakotay said. 

The woman waved the idea away. "He doesn't need anything. He's far too spoiled as it is." 

She looked Chakotay up and down and smile spread her lips. "Chakotay," she said knowingly. "Gretchen Janeway. She needs to see you." She gestured him into the front door, through the house and out the back. 

Chakotay had brief images of traditional decor and the smell of something chocolately baking. His stomach rumbled and he realized that he hadn't taken the time to even eat. Gretchen snapped him out of his reverie concerning food. "Oh, and I'd be sure to have a damn good reason for not contacting her for over two weeks. Go straight that way, pass that old tree and you'll see her. She's probably just laying in the grass. If you need help,  just yell. Either I or the dogs will hear you." With that the woman turned and headed back into the house. 

Chakotay half chuckled as he watched her go, not sure just how much hot water he was in. Deciding that haste might be a good idea, he headed off in the direction Gretchen had indicated. It wasn't long before he saw her. She was huddled on the ground, hair full of leaves, sound asleep. 

She looked so beautiful, and he'd missed her so terribly. Not to mention she was going to kill him. Still, he couldn't resist. Stooping down beside her, he gently pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. 

Kathryn came up fighting. 

"Ow!" he exclaimed landing on his backside across from her. 

"What are you doing here?!" she demanded. 

"Kissing you?" he asked sheepishly. 

Kathryn glared at him, furious. "No, that's what you could be doing if I'd heard from you the past what two weeks." 

"I'm sorry, Kathryn." Chakotay threw his hands up in defense. "I tried to contact you, but do you have any idea how difficult it is to rent a ship on Vulcan when you're a former Starfleet, former Maquis, former Starfleet and you want to fly it into a previously unknown wormhole that, incidentally is surrounded by science ships all chomping at the bit to get through? Or how hard is it is to even get contact information from Vulcan when there is a black out on your girlfriend's mother's comm address as well as anyone from the Voyager crew? Or just how long a Teloran deciding ritual can be?" 

"You went back?!" Kathryn gasped. 

"Dredek asked me to. I didn't have time to explain. The first Vulcan transport was leaving and I didn't want to miss it." 

"You could have told me, Chakotay." 

"Yeah, you and half the galaxy. That news lady wasn't going to let me do that." 

"Our kiss was on the eleven o' clock news," Kathryn murmured, embarrassed. 

Chakotay chuckled. "I guess the Delta Quadrant is a better place without them."  His expression sobered. "I came back to ask you a question. Well, several actually." 

Kathryn looked at him oddly. "Okay." 

Chakotay took a deep breath. "Kathryn, will you marry me?" 

Kathryn just stared at him, stunned. 

"Please?" he swallowed. 

"Chakotay... I...I'm overwhelmed. I... I...Yes." She nodded, her eyes suddenly filling. "But I still reserve the right to be mad at you." 

"It's yours," Chakotay grinned pulling her close. "I'm yours." 

"Wait." Kathryn held him off. "What are the other questions?" 

"Oh. The Teloran's have decided they want to rediscover their lost knowledge. A lot of it is buried in the ruins on the Northern continent and a lot can be found in the archives on Telora Minor. I've also found that there are some stations on the moon which may provide some clues. They want someone they can trust. 

"The Federation has offered, and the Teloran's are open to an Ambassador on their world. They would like me to accept the position. We're also going to need a science team for the technological aspects and an archeological team for the digging. I admit that there are still a lot of details to work out." 

Kathryn nodded as she followed, the excitement growing in her eyes. 

"I'd like to take the job, Kathryn. I really care about what happens to these people. And they want someone they can trust to head up the science team. I think you're the perfect person for the job." 

Chakotay pulled back slightly and looked at her. "What do you think?" 

His answer came in the form of a hug that knocked him to the ground, followed by a very passionate kiss. When the dogs came, much later, it was to alert them that it was time for dinner. 
-- -- 

Kathryn lay in bed gazing through the window at the light of distant stars. Tiny spots of light against the dense blackness of space; so distant, so beautiful, so familiar.  There weren't names in the Federation database for most of them yet. But still, they felt like home. 

She glanced toward the man that lay at her side. 'Home is where the heart is,' she thought, smiling. Her eyes trailed over his hair, ruffled from sleeping. Since resigning, he'd let it grow out slightly and no longer wore it brushed away from his face. It hung across his brow, making him all the more endearing. She was tempted to place a kiss on his softly puckered lips, but didn't want to awaken him. He deserved the rest after the hectic pace of the past few weeks. So many details and loose ends to tie up. Then, four days earlier, they had been married in a private ceremony at her mother's home. It had gone beautifully, despite the press's interference halfway into the reception. 

Mark had come. He and his wife had been off planet when Voyager had returned, and had gathered a lot of information via the subspace news feeds. His wife's name was Cynthia and they were expecting their first child in three months. They were obviously a couple in love. Kathryn couldn't have been happier for them. 

Neelix had been present as well. Although he'd opened a restaurant in San Francisco which had gained rapid popularity, he'd insisted on providing desert for the large gathering. What she and Chakotay had intended to be a ceremony of perhaps 150, turned out to be a large  gathering of nearly 400. There were just enough lizard cakes to go around. The name had put many off, but the dessert itself had been surprisingly delicious. 

After the reception they'd been busy preparing for their new jobs in the Delta Quadrant. The team had already been put together and the cargo loaded onto the ship. It awaited only final paperwork and the two remaining members of the team. The vessel that Starfleet had assigned to transport them back to the Delta Quadrant seemed very fitting. Captain Newcastle had been thrilled with his first mission on Voyager, and welcomed them aboard the night before with a celebratory dinner. 

As part of the agreement that the Telorans had made with the Federation, a moon base, manned by Starfleet personnel would be allowed. The concession that the Telorans had requested was that the station be manned by non-military personnel. Starfleet hadn't particularly cared for that provision, but as she and Chakotay were more than qualified to command the potential station complement of 57, the Federation had agreed to the term. A team had been setting up the first stage of the moon base for the better part of a week before Voyager arrived with the final supplies, among them two new shuttles. 

The base was completed as of 2330 hours. The final systems were up and running. First thing in the morning she and Chakotay were due to go down and assume command. Her stomach was churning with eagerness to get started. Which was why she was lying wide awake at 0200 hours. 

She sighed. There was really no use in trying. She considered getting up and going over the next day's checklist or perhaps reorganizing team assignments. Although she'd looked earlier, it wouldn't hurt to recheck the survey packs. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feel of a warm hand, settling softly on her waist. 

She turned and looked into Chakotay's warm gaze. "Can't sleep?" he asked. 

She shook her head. "Too worked up about tomorrow." 

His hand trailed leisurely along her body, his eyes never leaving hers. "Come here," he said. His lips spread into a seductive smile that did curious things to Kathryn's insides. 

She rolled obediently into him, loving the feel of his skin pressing against hers. "Ummm," she murmured, wrapping a leg around his. "I could go over the checklists," she said half-heartedly. 

Chakotay chuckled softly, his lips dangerously close. "I have a list I'd like you to check." Kathryn's next thoughts had nothing at all to do with moon bases.