A/n: I can't believe that I've written 30 odd Voyager fics but this is still my first sequel. Hopefully you'll all like this one, a follow up to "Bonds of Love, Ties of Family". It's set six months after the original story and I'd love to know what you all think of the first chapter.

Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth

Admiral Stewart sighed irritably as he entered the clinical atmosphere of another Briefing Room, he really had been hoping to get home for the night but no, this newly promoted upstart had to call him just as he was about to clock off… "This had better be good Fraser." He growled at the aforementioned upstart as he sat down.

Commodore Wesley Fraser shot him an apologetic look as he continued trying to re-establish the vital comm. link between headquarters and Demeter IV, a link that would certainly be necessary if he was going to be able to convince Stewart of the perilous situation there. "It is sir, although I am sorry that the work of the Humanitarian Council disrupted your evening."

A distinctive tinkling laugh drowned out Stewart's testy reply. "Our newest Council member certainly has a good picture of your character doesn't he John?"

Both men wheeled around to face the speaker, an unremarkable looking woman in her mid fifties with intelligent, steely grey eyes. "Valentina!" Stewart exclaimed with a smile of faux pleasure, "I didn't realise you'd be involving yourself so…directly in this issue…"

"I wouldn't exactly describe what's happening in the Demeter system as an issue John…" She interrupted icily, "Personally I'd say it fits the definition of a major problem exactly."

Stewart immediately began to backtrack, his agreement stumbling over itself in his mouth in its hurry to be said, "Yes, yes a major problem… Most definitely a major problem…"

Although Fraser was privately revelling in seeing his direct superior squirm, he decided now was the time to seize the attention the Demeter system most definitely needed. "I must say Admiral Keralova…" He addressed the woman politely, "I'm very relieved that you, in your post as head of Starfleet's Humanitarian Wing, have decided to attend to the Demeter system yourself. It's certainly becoming very serious…"

Bored with his fawning words, Keralova decided to make him cut to the chase. "Yes Commodore, I think we've all agreed that this is serious. I want to hear what you propose to make it less so."

Fraser gave a loud gulp, causing Stewart to have to choke back a chuckle. "Well Admiral, I can't say I convened this meeting to actually propose…" He stopped himself as he saw her eyes narrow into a near glare. "What I meant to say was, the point of this meeting is just to show you how much the situation has deteriorated in a few short weeks. If I could put Captain Klinemann on the comm., who is actually out there in the field, you would get a better picture…"

"I'm all for that." Stewart piped up after a permissive glance at Keralova. "Put him through."

"Yes sir." Fraser agreed quietly, sighing in relief when the comm. system cooperated and the haggard face of Captain Klinemann appeared on screen, albeit intermittently. "I've got Admirals Keralova and Stewart waiting here to listen to you Captain, go ahead."

"Thank God." Klinemann muttered before his voice became more determined. "Our position here is completely…unsustainable…we…" His words were blocked from their hearing by growling static, causing Keralova to wince in concern.

"Is your comm. connection always this bad Captain?" she queried seriously.

"Freq…Frequently worse ma'am." He answered through the interference. "We've gone for weeks without communications before, days without power…"

"So the dispute with the Heraians' situation with the Tzenkethi is not improving?" Stewart asked, although he had a feeling he already knew the answer.

"No!" Klinemann exclaimed angrily, "New refugees come by the hundreds every day, the planet can't cope with the strain and the original Federation settlers are becoming more and more mutinous about it all. Starfleet's word has no weight with them now, they won't even deal with me anymore…"

"Can you hold out until we can get more resources out there for you?" Keralova questioned anxiously.

"When those ships come…" Static broke up the sentence, "I and my group will be going back with them. We refuse to serve here, it would do no good."

"Captain, be reasonable…" Keralova began to chastise him.

"We've been reasonable for the last nine months! I suggest you try a new approach." Klinemann advised bitterly before the comm. line cut off for the last time.

All three officers watched the blank screen for a few seconds, hoping against hope that Klinemann would recant, but Keralova broke the silence with a heavy sigh, pressing her palm to her forehead as she tried to relieve the sudden ache. "He's serious; we'll need to pull him and his team out of there…"

"I always knew he wasn't the right man, those people need someone they believe understands where they're coming from, and it's a sure bet they'll need to be able to cope with trouble…"

"Who exactly do you suggest Admiral?" Fraser questioned sharply, "Anyone who goes out there will have their hands tied as much as Klinemann…"

Keralova suddenly snapped her fingers, her eyes lighting up. "I think I have the perfect candidate." She activated the building's internal comm. system, "Computer, put me through to Admiral Janeway please."

Puerto Rico, Earth

Seven of Nine leaned contently back on the loveseat which sat comfortably in the shade of the little cottage's veranda, watching the sun sink slowly behind the lush, tropical tree line until only the streaks of pastel coloured cloud that were the sun's wake lingered in sight. "You really like it here don't you?" Chakotay's voice suddenly whispered next to her ear, his hand pushing her loose hair aside as he did so to kiss her cheek.

She inclined her face so that he could reach her lips, which he duly did. "Yes I do, very much so." She answered, softly but sincerely, as he pulled back. "I rarely get the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment, and this place reminds me of the first time I did so."

Chakotay found her right hand; the one newly adorned with a wedding ring, and squeezed it in understanding. "It reminds me of Ledosia too." He agreed thoughtfully, "I had to choose a place where you'd actually relax and enjoy your honeymoon after all…" He added with a chuckle.

She peered at him through her eyelashes. "I would've enjoyed our honeymoon even if we were locked in Cargo Bay 2; you provide the entertainment after all."

Chakotay laughed, delighting in her flirtatious and only half-joking tone. "We wouldn't have been quite as comfortable there though would we?"

Seven nodded in agreement, letting her head come to rest on his shoulder. "It was very generous of Hector to allow us use of his family's holiday home."

"Well, it's certainly been my favourite wedding present." Chakotay murmured with a happy smile. Seven was right; it really had been a godsend for his brother-in-law to offer them this house for their two week honeymoon, since there weren't many hotels in the Federation that allowed guests to fit a Borg regeneration alcove into their room. Yes, it was in a very quiet, untraveled section of the island, but neither of them liked sunbathing or crowded tourist sites, so this was perfect. "So…" He began seductively, "What do you want to do tonight?"

"We should really start packing; we have an early transport booked in the morning so it would be sensible to start the task now." Seven proposed seriously, although a saddened sigh rose in her chest at the thought of leaving the place that was rapidly becoming her own personal version of heaven.

Chakotay saw the regret on her face and acted by gently pulling her into his lap. "I have a better idea…" He began to suggest, pausing as she absently played with the collar of his shirt, "Why don't we leave the packing for tonight and get a later transport home tomorrow? I doubt Hector and Sekaya would mind us staying here a couple more hours."

"No…" Seven conceded, a mild frown of irritation crossing her face as she ran a hand through his thick hair. "Your suggestions tend to compromise my efficiency…"

Chakotay began to stand up, holding her by the waist to keep her against him. "But you still love me anyway."

"Unequivocally." Seven replied in a whisper as she kissed him deeply, wrapping her legs around him as she did so.

"Good." Chakotay replied huskily as he picked her up entirely off the ground, her limbs wrapping tighter around him as she giggled.

The cottage's main bedroom was simple but luxurious, the main feature being the huge white bed with a canopy. Seven leaned forward against Chakotay's chest as he set her down on the edge, her attention unwillingly caught by the suitcases in the corner, reminding her that this peace would be short-lived. "What do you think will happen when we return to San Francisco?" she mumbled suddenly, causing his kisses to stop halfway down her neck.

He sighed heavily. "I honestly don't know honey." He admitted honestly, "Now that everything has been sorted out with Voyager, we'll hopefully get settled in good jobs somewhere."

"Yes." Seven agreed, deciding to share in the optimism. It wasn't that they hadn't been working during their past six months in the Alpha Quadrant, far from it. They'd been debriefed over every aspect of their years on Voyager, and while she had taken on the laborious task of explaining the intricacies of her Astrometrics lab to Starfleet Engineers and he had worked consolidating his home colonies' grievances after the Dominion War had caused the near collapse of the Cardassian Empire, both tasks had seemed transient and temporary, certainly not careers. "You could take up Anthropology as you always dreamed." She suggested gently, "Or work in Starfleet, you're a Captain now after all…"

"I'd need to do another degree to get a decent post in Anthropology." Chakotay told her, "I studied for Starfleet and then was in the Maquis, remember? As for Starfleet, I doubt they'd actually give me a command…"

Seven met his gaze firmly. "I do not see why not. You have much more experience than most starship Captains ever get." He smiled at her, but a shadow again crossed his face and she tried again, "Would you want a command if they gave you one?" she asked tentatively.

He sucked in a deep breath. "I'm not sure, after Voyager…" He trailed off, his eyes fixing on her face, "If I did, would you want to come with me?"

A hurt look stained her features and he regretted the question. "I did not marry you to be apart Chakotay." She finally said, her voice thick with emotion, "But if you needed or wanted to…"

He cut her off with a loving kiss that stole her breath. "I'm never going to want to Seven, never." He assured her in a whisper. "They couldn't stop me from bringing you, you're my wife now, but Captain's wives don't generally have posts on the ships, and that wouldn't be fair to you…"

Seven's brow furrowed. "I did not technically have a post on Voyager." She pointed out. "I "made myself useful" as Tom Paris would say."

Chakotay laughed at the truth in that statement. "You certainly did." He agreed as he lay down beside her on the bed, running his hand up her side. "Whatever happens, we'll make it work, alright?"

"I know." Seven agreed confidently, closing the tiny space between them with a sigh. "I'd like it if we could just stay here though." She admitted.

"Me too." Chakotay murmured as he pulled her in for a kiss and moved above her. "Maybe we can get Hector to give us the run of this place for every anniversary." He suggested, only half joking.

"That would be nice." Seven whispered dreamily as she wrapped her around him and pulled him down into her embrace.

A/n: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! :D