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One Year

Harry Kim walked into his quarters. Even though he has occupied them for the last 9 months, he still didn’t feel at home in them yet. Of course he knew that as the anniversary came closer, he would feel less and less at home here. That’s what the ship’s counselor said. He hoped that by taking a deep space assignment some of the homesickness would go away. But it didn’t.

He took off his jacket and laid it neatly on his bed as he usually did and then took off his turtleneck. He looked at his collar and stared at it. Eleven months ago he was given his second pip – as well as several official commendations – and he still had to look at his collar to make sure the last year wasn’t a dream. When they came back, Harry became the darling of the crew in Starfleet’s eyes. The media loved Janeway, the heroic captain who never gave up in her seven-year journey to get the crew home. Starfleet however took offense at some of her decisions. Through the rumor mill he heard the word “loose canon” was used more than once to describe her. They questioned every decision she made from asking Chakotay and the other Maquis to join the crew to going through the transwarp conduit. The senior staff knew that without the media’s influence she would have had a long stay in New Zealand. They also knew that she used every bit of that advantage to reduce the sentence of the former Liberty crewmembers.

Harry however got the recognition the captain always wanted to give him. During the first reception he received his new pip – a black centered pip to indicate his new rank of Lieutenant. He even got his choice of commissions. He asked for the assignment every officer wanted, the Enterprise. Later, the admiralty asked him to give recommendations that would influence the sentencing of the various members of the crew. Admiral Paris warned Harry that his word alone wouldn’t get the crew off, but it would make the group think. It took the admirals several weeks of deliberations before they handed down the sentence. When he heard it, he began to understand why so many from Starfleet rebelled. Each Liberty crewmember got at least a one-year sentence in a work camp. He watched Chakotay promise Tom that he would take care of B’Elanna as the half-Klingon woman said goodbye to her daughter, then to her husband.

Once the transport took away his friends, he saw Captain Janeway with Tom. The three officers had a drink together. “Well gentlemen,” said the captain. “We fought the good fight and it looks like we lost.”

Harry couldn’t believe it. In seven years of working with this woman he had never seen her give up on anything. She had faced down the Borg, and won several times. She saved him from fear itself, she had even faced an alien when she died and came back to tell about it. Harry couldn’t understand how Starfleet could break this woman who had always fought through everything.

“Yeah,” said Tom, his whole face the picture of sarcasm, “but we can look on the bright side. B’Elanna told you to take care of me; I promised that I would take care of you, and Chakotay promised to care of B’Elanna. Quite a lovefest, wouldn’t you say?” Tom looked at Harry who he forgot had joined the table. “What about you Harry? Who’s going to take care of you? You have that nice job on the Enterprise with the great Jean-Luc Picard. I guess you’re taken care of.”

Harry knew immediately that Tom regretted saying it and Harry never held it against his friend. The events of the day left the lieutenant disillusioned. He looked at the two officers and said, “Captain, the day after we returned, the Maquis joined us for our debriefs. That day you gave a stirring speech about our power as a crew. You told us that our greatest strength was our unity. Captain, I still believe in that unity, and I believe that we need to fight in order to keep our team together. I think that we should plan to get the whole crew together one year from the day that we landed. We may have to fight for some of the Maquis, but I believe it will be worth it.” Harry patted Tom on the shoulder and left.

--^--^--

In the nine months since that conversation a lot happened to the members of the crew. Captain Janeway kept her rank, but took a posting at a science lab in the Orion system. She enjoyed the posting because it allowed her to take a shuttle and get a close look at many different types of anomalies. She decided that for at least a little while she could give up her great love of captaining a starship to go back to her first love of science. The change should do her well. Her station had a Bolian commanding officer. This allowed her to focus exclusively on science while Captain Crael dealt with all the legalism of Starfleet.

Tom moved himself and Miral to New Zealand. No one knew it, but both Admiral Paris and Harry used their influence to allow the former Maquis to live in communities surrounding the prison. Each day the inmates would go to their work assignments as if they had a regular job. This allowed the Paris family to stay together. For many, the downside was that inmates couldn’t socialize with each other. A lot of times Tom would play messenger between former crewmates. Tom always found it hardest to see Chakotay. With the rest of the crew, Tom saw Chakotay and Captain Janeway begin a personal relationship with each other. The Starfleet part of the crew heard the captain yell her feelings for Chakotay at Seven of Nine after Starfleet escorted the Maquis off Voyager. The next day, the missing crewmembers came back and the captain finally got to declare her love to her first officer. Most of the crew held back from saying “its about time” and instead applauded.

Since his arrival in New Zealand, Tom noticed the loss to Chakotay. On Voyager, Chakotay talked daily with most of the crew, serving as the unofficial counselor and dealing with all personnel issues. He also spent some time everyday with the captain who stole his heart. Now Chakotay didn’t have any of that. He spent most of his daily communication rations talking to Kathryn. She visited him on weekends, but even then they never had any privacy. Chakotay served as a reminder of everything that Tom could have lost, and Tom hated that.

Most other members of the crew took posts that would keep them in one place. The Doctor stayed at headquarters where he wrote several papers and helped in designing the next generation of EMHs. Seven went with Vorik, Tuvok and T’Pel to Vulcan. The young engineer decided to stay there until his next pon farr so that he could take a mate. Seven decided to join Starfleet and get her own commission. Because of her knowledge and experience, she only had to take a few classes. While she did that, she studied with a Vulcan master to find a degree of peace inside herself and to understand her new emotions.

--^--^--

Harry walked around his room and looked at the picture of Voyager’s senior staff on a shelf. He thought he should have received a reply to his proposal to allow the Maquis a get together last week, but Starfleet hadn’t responded to any of his messages. Most of the Starfleet crew said they would love to attend an anniversary party, but only if the Maquis would attend as well. Harry and some others had decided to go to New Zealand regardless, planning to go door to door and see crewmembers if necessary. However, the more Harry looked at different memorabilia from his time on Voyager, the more he knew he had to get this approved.

Harry took one more look at the picture and smiled, remembering his nickname on the ship, “Ensign Eager”. He walked with renewed purpose to his communication screen, determined not to accept no for an answer. Admiral Paris has helped him in the past; Harry decided to talk to him first. When he turned on the device, he saw that Admiral Paris and Captain Janeway both left messages for him. Ensign Eager smiled for the first time in a long knowing what this meant.

--^---^---

When Harry arrived in New Zealand, his excitement over this reunion nearly ended. He had seen pictures of what incarceration looked like, but this seemed so much more devastating. He couldn’t see how anyone could survive in such a baron place. He knew that they couldn’t have certain luxuries that he always took for granted like a holodeck, replicators, and hover vehicles. However, he didn’t anticipate the overwhelming sense of danger that he felt as soon as he transported to the surface. Despite all his training, he had a greater sense of fear here than he had anywhere else in his life.

“I would think that a guy who has come back from the dead, joined us from another dimension, been eaten from the inside out, and actually faced a clown named Fear could come in here and look at least a little braver than you do now.”

When Harry heard Tom’s voice he forgot all his anxiety and ran to pilot. The two men embraced and all of a sudden they both forgot their surroundings.

“So they let you keep your second pip did they? I told my father he better watch you, especially if you try to take command during an away mission. When he asked what I meant, I told him to check out logs regarding the Nightingale. He said there were none.”

Harry laughed. “Its not my fault that some logs got a little misfiled.” Both men laughed.

“Come on Harry. The party is getting set up and I was told in no uncertain terms to make sure that you have lunch at our place.”

“The old ball and chain is giving you orders. I guess we know who wears the pips in your family.”

“For your information that order was given by a certain captain and commander. It seems that a certain inmate made friends with the officer who makes the work assignments. He is going to decorate while a certain control freak captain plans to make sure everything is just perfect for her crew’s reunion.”

“Who am I to question an order? Lead the way!”

--^--^--

“In case you didn’t notice, I don’t have a replicator available, so this is the best I can do.” Kathryn looked at her former first officer and laughed. He tried to glare at her, but eventually felt the corners of his mouth begin to rise and joined her in a chuckle.

The two commanding officers had come to accept their situation. Chakotay hated that while his friends got together; guards posted at every door would watch them and would most likely monitor their conversations. He also hated seeing Kathryn visit him in the penal colony. She had gotten used to it, but he hated her seeing him live like this. Like his quarters, the one room building they set up for this party had a dirt floor and looked like it barely survived Starfleet Academy target practice. Food rations barely had enough nutrients to keep the inmates going. He wanted just once, to take her someplace nice for dinner. Instead during her weekly trips to the colony, she had to bring her own food, which she ate alone. Even tonight, the festivities would not start until after the inmates eat their dinner rations. Despite all this, he knew how much they both appreciated all the time they got to spend together.

“It just so happens that I have a few decorations that we can put up.” Kathryn opened a backpack that she carried in with her and began to pull out some mementos of their time in the Delta Quadrant. When she pulled out a holoprojector, she looked at her companion and said, “Do you think the Doctor would mind that I brought some of his pictures?”

Chakotay gave her a look and then they both burst into laughter. “No, but if that is any of the photo exhibitions he allowed us to watch, the crew might have a problem with it.”

“No, these images are classics.”

Chakotay walked up to her, punctuating their difference in size. In a deep voice, he asked, “Just what pictures are in that projector Kathryn?”

“A little nervous there commander? Are there some pictures you don’t want people to see?”

He flashed her a smirk and said, “No, if I remember right you were the person who put all those pictures in everyone’s database for me. I was just wondering if this would be an appropriate place to put some of the pictures I collected.”

Immediately, Kathryn’s face turned from teasing to a death glare to a degree he had never seen before. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh wouldn’t I?”

“Okay, I’ll take the pictures of you on shore leave in the K’Paerian sector out.”

“Did you put in the ones of Tom and Tuvok?”

“Tuvok?” With a twinkle in his eye Chakotay shook his head yes. With a face she asked if he really meant it. Finally Chakotay put his arm around Kathryn and hugged her close to him. “It’s so nice to see you here.”

--^^--^^--

“Seven, Ensign, it’s so great to see you both.”

“The feeling is mutual, Cadet.”

“Please Seven, I am not on campus, call me Icheb.”

Icheb smiled at his former mentor while Naomi Wildman stood next to him with a look of hope on her face. Finally, flabbergasted, she said, “Oh, will you two hug already?”

“The human need for physical closeness in order to communicate the feeling of missing each other is illogical,” said Seven.

“On the contrary,” interrupted Vorik, “in every culture there is a standard physical greeting after a long passage of time. Even Vulcan spouses and family members will extend two fingers to each other. I do not believe that the feelings associated with the gesture for Vulcans or humans is illogical or irrelevant.”

Naomi rolled her eyes and ran with her arms extended to Seven, while Vorik extended his hand to Icheb who shook it. Icheb looked at Seven who gestured that a hug would be acceptable. Tuvok and T’Pel saw the group and joined them.

“My wife, I wish to introduce you to two of our most junior crewmembers, Naomi Wildman and Cadet Icheb of Brunari.”

“I greet you in peace. I have heard many positive things about each of you and look forward to following your careers in Starfleet.” T’Pel addressed the last statement to Icheb and Naomi. Naomi’s face beamed as she realized that news of her admission to the Academy reached even Tuvok and T’Pel.

Vorik looked at Tuvok and said, “Commander, may I speak with you privately for a moment?” Tuvok nodded his head in agreement. The two Vulcan men walked to an area unoccupied by anyone at the edge of what appeared to be a forest. Vorik faced Tuvok and hesitated for a second before saying, “Commander Tuvok. I know that it is unusual to have this conversation with you. However, as you know my father was killed in the border wars while we were on our mission, and my mother found it logical at that time to join the Maquis movement. When I came back, I had no family waiting for me. During our time on Voyager, I came to admire and respect you in the same ways which I admired my father.”

“Indeed, the bond of family is an important one and the bond that all of the Voyager crewmembers share took the place of the formal familial bonds for many crewmembers. I cannot say that I have come to regard you the same as I do my children, but I believe there is a particularly strong bond between us.”

“I appreciate that sir. What I want to ask you is something that I would ordinarily ask my father. I wish to declare kunat soliik with Seven of Nine and I would like to have your blessing to do so.”

Tuvok arched his eyebrows as he considered the potential of this bonding. Vorik believed the logic of his choice was obvious, so he did not defend it. After a long moment, Tuvok said, “I believe that you and Seven of Nine would be very compatible together. She possesses many of the characteristics that I believe would compliment you. However, I am surprised that you are considering this step now. I did not think that you would need to take a mate for at least another year.”

“You are correct sir. However, I want to make my intentions known to her tonight.”

“Very well. I wish you both a long union.”

“Thank you sir.”

--^--^--

Harry and Tom packed up Miral when they saw members of the Voyager crew start to arrive, first sporadically, then in an almost steady stream. Harry saw a shuttle come in that caught his eye. He excused himself from a conversation with Tom, Sam Wildman and her husband in order to meet these particular guests. As the passengers began to disembark, Harry stood at attention.

The low timber of the admiral’s voice saying, “At ease Lieutenant,” was followed by a more familiar feminine voice saying, “Before you strain something.”

Harry laughed as his former captain walked next to him and put her arm around him. “Some things never change do they captain?”

She gave him a look of pride as she said, “we are creatures of change Harry. You are no longer the green ensign who stuttered through our first meeting.” She then turned to Admiral Paris and said, “Everything is all set, but I would suggest you ‘hide out’ until the appointed time.”

“They don’t suspect anything do they?”

Janeway looked at Harry, who shook his head, then said, “they have no idea.” The two Voyager alumni looked at each other with a smile.

“Good, see that doesn’t change. However, I need to talk to your former first officer if you think that can be arranged without him ripping my head off. Do you know anyone who might have some influence with him?” The admiral gave his former protégé a wicked smile. Kathryn had tried to keep her relationship with Chakotay a secret from everyone except the Voyager crew at first because she didn’t want anyone to think they got involved on Voyager, then because she and Chakotay decided it was no one’s business but theirs. However, Owen heard her declare her love for Chakotay the day they landed, so he teased her every chance he got.

“I’m sure I could find someone. Come on admiral.”

--^--^--

The Doctor arrived with Reg Barclay and a holoimager in hand. He found groups of people talking to each other and would tell them how to pose so that he could take “the perfect candid shot”. Tom saw this and the annoyed looks on the faces of the crewmembers. Finally he walked up to Doc and said, “You spoil the candid idea when you start posing people.”

“But I am artist”

“Not an amateur photographer got it. Think of how much more talent it takes to get an artistic candid shot than one where you manipulate everything in the picture.” Doc seemed to accept this and walked away, leaving Tom alone as he looked around the growing crowd for no one in particular. He knew that soon the inmates would be called to their quarters for dinner. Most people brought a picnic with them that they would eat while the inmates waited to come join the party.

From across the field everyone gathered in, Captain Janeway saw Tom staring blankly. Even though she had been to New Zealand many times to see Chakotay, she rarely got to see anyone else. Janeway and Chakotay always worried about how Tom held up during this time. Chakotay had observed Tom far more reserved than usual during their visits. The captain walked over to Tom wanting to give him some words of encouragement. She startled him when she said, “I don’t know which of us has suffered more this year. I can only imagine what it must have been like having to explain to Miral why her mother can’t join you at the dinner table and living in those tight quarters.”

“I’m the lucky one remember. You and Chakotay would probably be married right now if he weren’t here. You know that’s what he wants to do as soon as he gets out. And he didn’t get one of the one-year sentences did he. How many more visits will you have to make captain?”

Kathryn allowed herself a sad look and said, “Mr. Paris, in a lot of ways we were married on the ship. Our command structure prevented us from participating in certain activities, but our bond is just as strong as any married couple.”

Tom looked at his wrist chronometer. “What’s taking them so long to call dinner? I want to see my wife sometime tonight.”

“Tom, it’s going to be over soon. I guarantee it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Naomi ran up to Kathryn with her arms out. “Captain, I haven’t seen you in so long. Where have you been all day?”

Kathryn saw the smirk on Tom’s face and flashed him a weak death glare. “Well, I have been helping Commander Chakotay with the decorations.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you call me? I helped Neelix decorate for parties all the time.” The girl stopped just long enough to see the captain look a little uncomfortable, “I guess you really wanted to be alone with Commander Chakotay, didn’t you?”

Kathryn looked at the girl, realizing how much she grew up in the last 7 years and said, “Isn’t your mom around or something?” Taking the hint, Naomi left the two officers who started giggling as soon as she left.

“I thought I saw a Starfleet vessel land around here. Do you know what that was about?” Tom knew that his captain and Harry planned something, but he hadn’t figured out what yet.

“I have no idea. What do you think?”

Tom smirked, “That you will let us all know very soon.”

Before the captain could respond, they heard the call for the inmates to go to their quarters for their dinner rations. Tom had begged that on this night the inmates would eat together with their former crewmembers. This idea caused a huge debate among the prison staff, but in the end the Director decided that he needed to allow the guards to have a break during that time. Several guards had offered to give theirs up, but Director Pygmes wouldn’t allow it. Kathryn could see Tom’s face full of frustration. “Fifteen minutes Tom. The crewmembers all understand. In fifteen minutes you’ll forget all about this.”

--^--^--

The non-Maquis part of the crew knew that the announcement signaled them to go into the party room. Those who had visited the colony in the last year couldn’t believe their eyes. No one could see the walls themselves because souvenirs from each of their missions covered them so completely. One wall held pictures of all the crewmen that did not make it home. Chakotay insisted that even relics that would bring bad memories, such as Ensign Hogan’s uniform jacket from their time on the planet the Kazon left them, would adorn the walls. He believed that the crew needed a reminder that they have gone through bad times before and always made it through. Of course the picture gallery of the various holodeck simulations that the whole crew used became a favorite place to visit. On one wall stood a holoimaging screen with a never-ending slideshow of pictures from their voyage. Many people watched those and laughed or told their families the stories behind each picture.

Harry noticed that in a corner of the building a group of people who loved a former Maquis or Equinox crewmember congregated. He decided to join this group while the rest of the crew looked around and found tables to sit at. Soon The Doctor, Seven, Vorik, and Tuvok joined the group. The missing crewmembers came in one by one, ebullience written all over their faces. Ayala hadn’t seen Jenny Delany in months. Tabor and Megan Delany only started dating during the debriefings, but their reunion held as much passion as if they had been together for the whole trip. Vorik and Harry tried to greet any inmate who didn’t have a loved one waiting for them. When Tom saw B’Elanna coming he ran to her and they walked in hand-in-hand. Seven thought this peculiar because, unlike most couples, they saw each other everyday. Vorik explained to her that humans want to share these good experiences with each other. Chakotay came in last. When Kathryn met him outside, she teased him, “Did you ask for seconds commander? I thought they were going to let you go first.”

Chakotay laughed and kissed her, “I got held up.”

“Should I be jealous?”

“I don’t think so. I would imagine if I took up with someone else you would just glare her to death.” He looked at the door to the party and back at Kathryn. He extended his arm and smiled at her. “I guess that it is time for our grand entrance. After your display a year ago, I think we ought to show a little decorum.”

Kathryn wrapped her arm around his and said, “Are you saying that I embarrassed you?”

With complete sincerity in his eyes, Chakotay said, “Never.”

“Good, then lets go.”

In the time it took the command team to walk in, the crew lined up in two rows applauding the couple. Kathryn and Chakotay shook hands with crewmembers and their families as they made their way to the head table, which held the senior staff and their dates. With the exception of Seven and Tuvok, each member of this table hugged the captain and commander. Seven thought Vorik’s actions seemed illogical. The Vulcan explained that in his time with humans, he learned about their emotions and it just seemed logical to emulate them so that the humans would feel more able to express what they want. Both Seven and Tuvok nodded their agreement at this logic.

The command couple walked to their places and Chakotay looked at the senior officers before having them all sit. Kathryn approached a podium set up for her in the center of the stage. “To paraphrase one of my favorite people from our voyage,” she stopped and looked at Chakotay, saying into the microphone, “Sorry honey, its not you. Eight years ago when we were put together in the Delta Quadrant, I didn’t think we would survive a week, let alone seven years. There was strife, there was discord, we were all at each other’s throats. But over time, I’ve had the pleasure of watching this crew work together as colleagues even friends. Who would have thought that this eclectic group of voyagers could become a family? Starfleet, Maquis, Klingon, Talaxian, hologram, Borg-even Mr. Paris."

Most of the crew laughed at this last statement. Doc beamed as he recognized his own words from the ground breaking ceremony for the Astrometrics lab. Tom spoke up and said, “I was there for that speech. Are we going to yellow alert soon?”

Captain Janeway laughed, then said, “Mr. Paris, I think in a lot of ways we have been at yellow alert for the last year. Many members of our family have been located here and many of us have spent a year petitioning Starfleet to correct this wrong. Lieutenant Kim in particular has spoken with the admiralty about this issue more than I have spoken to them about anything. I am happy to say that the admirals have heard our pleas, and now I would like to introduce Admiral Owen Paris, our pilot’s father, but a great friend to this crew. For many years I called him my mentor and friend. Now I want each of you to get a chance to meet him.”

Admiral Owen Paris didn’t know what kind of reception to expect from the Voyager crew. Most didn’t know how hard he worked with the Pathfinder Project. He never gave up on finding a way to get messages to the crew and trying to find a way to get them home. After they arrived, he got kicked off the committee that decided what to do about the Maquis problem because he fought too hard to keep the crew together. Even after that expulsion, he used his influence to give the crewmembers a light sentence, clearance for weekend visitors, and approval for this gathering. However, this crew associated the admirals with an unfair punishment for their friends. He didn’t expect a warm welcome, and therefore wasn’t surprised that the crew begrudgingly followed the lead of Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Harry Kim who genuinely welcomed him to the stage.

“Thank you Captain. It has been an honor working with you through the years. You and Commander Chakotay have led a most impressive crew. Starfleet is only now finishing a full review of your crew’s logs from the time you were in the Delta Quadrant. Before I tell you what I came here to say, I would like Lieutenant Harry Kim to join me.” Harry stood up, surprised that the admiral apparently had a presentation for him. Janeway smiled with pride. “The admirals have looked over several crewmember’s files and logs and come to the conclusion that of all the Voyager crew, Lt. Kim has distinguished himself the most. His official logs tell of some of the most interesting, ah, away missions? And in the last year he has served valiantly on a starship with no lack of great minds and talent. A year ago Harry received a long overdo black centered pip and a hearty thank you from Starfleet. Today I would like to offer this young man another gold centered one to indicate the rank of Lieutenant Commander.”

At this the crowd stood up and applauded their comrade. Owen shook Harry’s hand, and placed the new pip on his collar. Hoping that the crowd had warmed up to him a little, Owen returned to the microphone and said, “Harry, I did find the logs on your Nightingale adventure. I’m going to recommend command school before I give you another commission.” The crowd laughed as Harry sheepishly walked back to his seat.

Once the crowd finished laughing, Owen took the podium again, a little more seriously. “Friends, one of the reasons that I wanted to give Commander Kim his new rank here was so that I could thank him for the work he’s put into getting this party together. Your logs and experiences show that the group of people I am looking at became a family over eight years and are truly the one crew that your captain fought so hard to keep together.

“In my heart I know that Starfleet was wrong to hand out the punishments that they did to the former members of the Liberty and Equinox crews. Each person on Voyager served valiantly and with honor, upholding all the values of Starfleet and we were fortunate to have each of you representing us in the Delta Quadrant. With that in mind, Captain Janeway, Commander Kim, others and myself have pushed for the admiralty to review their position on each of you. They decided that in light of the service done by all crewmembers of the Starship Voyager, each member of the former Maquis and Equinox crew are completely exonerated for all war crimes and are hereby honorably discharged holding the ranks they did on Voyager. Congratulations, everyone is free to go home.”

At first Owen didn’t know if anyone heard what he just said, no one moved. Harry and Kathryn both knew what he planned to say, but it took even them a second to finally understand. Kathryn jumped up first and hugged Chakotay. Tom and B’Elanna jumped up and embraced each other next, and then the rest of the crew began to celebrate in various ways. Harry walked up to the admiral and shook his hand. Tom hesitated a little before he walked up to his father and extended his hand. Owen’s command mask fell briefly as he took his son’s hand in a strong handshake. B’Elanna watched as Tom reached out with his left hand and pulled his father into a hug. “Thank you dad. I’m sorry.” A tear came to her eye as she watched the two men weep.

Seven looked at the Paris men still in their embrace. She turned to look at Vorik. When Vorik looked at her, he caressed her cheek and said, “Are you alright? Is that a tear?”

Seven shook her head and said, “I guess my ocular implant—“

“No Seven, I think your humanity is coming to the surface. It is one of the things I admire about you. I believe that you and I would make a very good match, we both can teach and learn about emotions and science together. I had planned to ask you this somewhere more private, but, I would like to declare to you now kunat soliik.”

Seven looked at Vorik and smiled. “I believe that would be an acceptable proposal.”

Tuvok and T’Pel watched over the couple as they made this promise to each other. “My husband, do you think this joining will be a favorable one for both of them.”

“I do believe so my wife. I have spent a significant amount of time with each and I have a great deal of respect for both. Vorik is what humans would call an orphan and will need guidance, as will Seven as they begin their life journey together. I would like for us to provide that for them.” ”I agree my husband.” With that the married Vulcan couple extended two fingers to each other, a gesture of closeness that only a married Vulcan couple could understand.

--^--^--

Chakotay went to B’Elanna who sat with Miral in her arms. Chakotay pulled a chair up beside her. “I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I always thought I would be around to watch her grow up, but I missed so much already. It is a custom of my tribe that extended family takes part in teaching the children. I can’t help but think of Miral as a niece.”

Chakotay couldn’t tell what emotion was on B’Elanna’s face. “Well, I guess you will have more opportunities to see her now.” Chakotay stared at her and shook his head yes. B’Elanna got angry and said to him, “How could you shake that man’s hand as if he did us some great favor. Starfleet allowed many whole civilizations die, they took away a year of our lives. Our Maquis brothers and sisters are still in jail if they aren’t dead. How can you not be angry.”

Chakotay put a hand on B’Elanna’s shoulder. “Starfleet admitted that they did wrong. They have regretted their treaties with the Cardassians, and by making this gesture, they told the Cardassians that they will reopen the war if pushed further. I cannot get the last year back no matter what I do. What I can do however is to live the rest of my life like it’s the gift that it is. I have Kathryn in my life and with the honorable discharge I can teach at the academy or do something else that I have always dreamed of.”

“So what you’re saying is don’t cry over spilled milk?”

“No, what I’m saying is use where you are and what you have to go on and live. You have a passion for the Maquis cause, use that to get them free, or get a job designing engines. The Maquis fight was never yours. Don’t let it ruin the life you have been given.”

B’Elanna looked at her child then back at her friend. “So what’s next for you?” ”I don’t know yet, I need to talk to Kathryn.”

“Don’t be stranger Chak”

“Never again.”

--^--^--

Kathryn looked at the chronometer. “0230 and most everyone is still here.”

“I could order everyone to go to bed, I am still the ranking medical officer here.”

Kathryn smiled at the Doctor. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Naomi and Icheb look like they are ready to fall asleep and I know that students never sleep. The rest of the crew will leave soon.”

“It was quite a party. Thank you captain.”

“I’m just glad it all worked out.”

“So what happens with you and the commander from here?”

“I had to keep the announcement a secret so I don’t know.” In reality Kathryn didn’t know what she evern wanted anymore. While in the Delta Quadrant she always thought when she got back she would receive a promotion and become an admiral just like her father. Now she knew that she would never get that promotion and she would never have command of her own ship. She only took her posting in the Orion system because she would have weekends to spend with Chakotay. Now she didn’t know what would come next. “We’ll move him out as soon as possible. I have quarters that he can stay in until we decide what’s next.”

“That’s great. I have always hoped you two would get together. Have you heard about Seven and Vorik?”

“That’s a couple I never put together, but something about it seems, I don’t know, what’s the word?”

“Logical?” The doctor asked with a wide smile on his face. More seriously he said, “She is planning to live out her life without passion but full of logic.”

“I don’t know if I would go that far. Vulcan marriages have a passion that we just can’t understand. She’ll be okay. But how about you? I know you were in love with her.”

“I’ll be okay.”

--^--^--

After everyone else left, the senior staff beamed down enough sleeping bags and bedclothes for each of them. Tom Paris called this an old fashion slumber party. They intended to sleep in the building that housed the party. Before settling in for the night Chakotay asked Kathryn to join him on a walk.

“Owen told me what to expect from the evening when you brought him to me.”

“I should have expected that.”

“He wants me to work unofficially for Starfleet. I would help run a ship that would coordinate efforts to help the victims of the wars. I would have to figure out what the colonies need and get the materials to them.”

“This is something you really want?”

“Only if you want to do it with me. You would still be captain of the ship, but no longer Starfleet. I know one of your dreams is to become an admiral like your father.”

“They will never promote me. I don’t think I will ever get a ship; I’m too much of a loose cannon. Contact Owen and tell him we’ll do it.” Kathryn looked at Chakotay and said, “Are you sure that we want to spend your first night of freedom sleeping with the senior staff?”

“No, but we promised we would. Tomorrow however,”

“Tomorrow we will travel on a runabout alone to Starfleet headquarters where they will have a more official party for us over the weekend. The only good thing about it is that the accommodations will be a whole lot better.”

Kathryn and Chakotay made it back to the slumber party expecting Tom to have a wise crack for them. Instead, they saw everyone was already asleep. They looked at each member of the senior staff, then at each other. Chakotay started, “Harry can’t give up Starfleet, he’s still too idealistic.”

Kathryn agreed, “I still want to protect him from the devastation we’ll see. Tuvok and T’Pel need to lead their family. Vorik won’t want to leave until after his next Pon Farr, so Seven can’t come with us.”

Shaking his head, Chakotay added, “B’Elanna needs a cause to fight for and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with our engines. And Tom is the best pilot we could hope for.”

Kathryn smiled at the realization that she and Chakotay were in complete agreement about everything and they had the opportunity to attain her greatest dream. “I don’t know if Doc would want to come or not, though my instincts say he would.”

”I tend to agree. Let’s not talk to Doc, Tom and B’Elanna until after everyone has left the next party.”

“Agreed, now lets finally put this year behind us.”`