This story was written for VAMB's Secret Summer exchange 2016. My recipent was bevfan and she requested a J/C story with a happy ending and added a list of the things she likes.

Thank you, KJaneway115, for your help and beta-work.

No copyright infringement intended.

The large room was buzzing with excitement. The crew of the USS Voyager was home, and for the first time in seven years able to meet their families in person.

Kathryn Janeway watched from a secluded spot to see how her crew was coping. She saw Harry's mother crying when he stood in front of her, Ayala's expression of amazement and wonder as he had to raise his head to look at his sons' faces and Admiral Paris embracing his son and daughter-in-law while his wife took Miral in her arms, smiling brightly at the little baby girl.

Kathryn's heart soared with pride and a smile lightened her face. They were undeniably home.

"Kathryn Janeway!" a voice yelled suddenly louder than all the other voices. Immediately the noise died down and Kathryn squirmed as every person in the room turned their head surprised at the silver-haired, delicate woman who stood in the middle, hands on her hips, glaring at Kathryn. Kathryn returned the glare and was only barely aware that her crew stopped breathing and looked from one to the other in awe. "Don't you dare hide from your mother!" the woman exclaimed.

"I'm not hiding," Kathryn said firmly and raised her chin. For some seconds their eyes locked in a silent struggle of power until Kathryn's stern expression crumbled and changed into a wide smile and she rushed forward. "Mommy," she said, hugging her mother as tight as she could.

"Oh, Katie," Gretchen laughed through her tears. "You're here. You are really here."

The crew exhaled with a sigh and was now smiling wider than before while Kathryn nodded into her mother's hair, breathing in her unique scent.

"Katie!" a woman squealed and threw her arms around mother and daughter.

"Phoebe," Kathryn called out, surprised, taking her sister into her arms as well, squeezing her mother in the middle.

From the other side of the room Chakotay watched the blissful threesome. The attention of the crew shifted and only he saw how they entangled their arms and started to talk. Whatever it was they were talking about, they seemed to be excited and happy and especially Kathryn's sister Phoebe was literally bouncing. He knew Kathryn thought her sister was the attractive woman in the family, and she was indeed very attractive with her long, curly brown hair and her dazzling smile, though he couldn't tear his eyes away from Kathryn. To him she was the most beautiful woman in the room and he had never seen her smiling as she was in that moment.

"So this is the famous Kathryn Janeway," a calm female voice said from beside him.

Chakotay's insides did a flip-flop and he closed his eyes, relishing the sound of the voice. "From the stories I heard she must've been larger than life but she seems to have a pretty normal height to me," the woman said, amusement evident in her voice.

Chakotay smiled at her words, opened his eyes slowly and turned around to see chocolate brown eyes twinkling at him. "This can't be true," he whispered, shaking his head slightly.

"It is true," she said and he reached out, touching her face with his fingertips.

Tears were forming in his eyes. "Sekaya," he whispered.

"Chakotay."

In the blink of an eye he lifted her off the ground and swung her around. She laughed out loud and he laughed with her before he let her down slowly and pulled her into a hug.

"I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too."

He couldn't let go of her. The years apart were almost too much to bear and now that she was within his reach he couldn't let her go again, though at one point she patted his back and tried to pull away.

"I could use a little breath here," she said when he didn't let go.

He chuckled and stepped back, wiping his eyes. "Sorry."

"It's okay," she smiled. "It's good to have you back."

He returned her smile and nodded. "It's good to be back. So…," he looked around. "Where's my nephew?"

"He's not here. It would've been too exciting for a three year old. You'll meet him later today."

Chakotay nodded in understanding. "Three years, huh? It seems like yesterday that I received your letter and read that I became an uncle."

Sekaya laughed heartily and took his arm. "Enough small talk, Uncle. Introduce me to your captain!"

"Yes, Ma'am," he chuckled.

They made their way through the crowd arm in arm. Kathryn and her family had left the spot in the middle and were now standing at the side, still talking actively. Kathryn saw them approaching and their conversation ended.

"Kathryn, this is my sister Sekaya," Chakotay told her when they stopped next to the three Janeway women. "Sekaya, this is my captain," he said with a grin and got a nudge in his ribs by his sister.

"It's great to finally meet you…," Sekaya stopped, suddenly uncertain what to call her.

"Kathryn is fine," Kathryn smiled warmly and shook Sekaya's hand. "It's great to meet you, too. Chakotay told me a lot about you."

Sekaya glanced at Chakotay but he didn't bother to tell her what exactly he had told Kathryn.

"Chakotay, this is my mother…," Kathryn introduced her and Chakotay reached forward, shaking Gretchen's hand. "… and my sister."

Chakotay turned to Phoebe and saw her longing, smoldering glance and chuckled to himself. "Hi, I'm Phoebe," she said in a low, sultry voice and before he could shake her hand she hugged him fiercely, her body molding against his.

Chakotay didn't know if he should be flattered or embarrassed. "Nice to meet you," he said, trying to sound polite but couldn't stop himself from grinning widely. Kathryn rolled her eyes; her sister hadn't changed a bit in those seven years.

After endless seconds, Phoebe pulled back, a wicked grin on her face. Gretchen had enough of the show and chimed in. "Tell me, Chakotay, what are your plans now that you're home?"

He glanced at Kathryn but her face was suddenly impassive. "To be honest, I don't know. It still seems unreal to be back."

Gretchen nodded with a wistful smile at her daughter. "I know what you mean."

"I hope to be able to spend time with my sister and get to know my nephew."

Sekaya looked questioningly at Gretchen. "There's no question about it," Gretchen said and touched Sekaya's arm comfortingly. "I never thought differently," she assured her and Sekaya smiled, relieved.

Both Kathryn and Chakotay frowned, confused, but before either of them could ask what this was about Sekaya addressed Kathryn. "I hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not," Kathryn answered automatically. "You don't need to ask me if you want to spend time with Chakotay."

Sekaya smiled gratefully and Kathryn's and Chakotay's frowns deepened.

"Then it's settled," Gretchen said happily. "Chakotay will come with us."

"With us?" Kathryn asked wide-eyed. "With you?" Chakotay said in the same moment, his jaw dropping.

"Yes," Gretchen nodded, not quite understanding why they acted so surprised. "If you want to spend time with your sister and nephew you need to come with us," she said matter-of-factly.

"Why?" Chakotay asked dumbfounded.

"You know that I live in Indiana…," Sekaya told his brother.

"You're living in Indiana?" Kathryn asked, her eyes still wide with surprise and confusion.

"Yes, I'm living at your mother's place." Sekaya looked from one to the other. "I told Chakotay in my letters."

"No, you didn't," Chakotay replied.

"Of course I did."

"I'm sure I would remember."

"Chakotay, I told you."

Kathryn pinched the bridge of her nose and Gretchen saw her distress. "Kathryn, Sekaya has been living with us since we found out what happened to Voyager."

Kathryn's hand dropped. "It would've been nice to know," she hissed and missed the upset look on Sekaya's face at her sharp words.

"We thought you did. We told you," Phoebe came to Gretchen and Sekaya's help.

"Not in the letters I got," Chakotay said.

"When did you write it the first time?" Kathryn asked in hope of getting some clarification.

"After my first Voyager get-together."

"Sekaya's first Voyager get-together was the one shortly after Starfleet got message that Voyager was found. We'd been told what happened to you and that you integrated the Maquis into your crew. We had Voyager get-togethers before, but this was the first where the families of the Maquis attended as well. There we met Sekaya. She had no place to go, no one to help her and was seven months pregnant so we took her home with us." Unconsciously Chakotay took Sekaya's hand in silent support as he heard the short version of what she had been through. "When Starfleet told us what happened to Voyager they also told us that we could write letters. They said they could transmit them to you."

"Hirogen," Kathryn and Chakotay said together in realization and some of the confusion faded.

"What?" Sekaya frowned.

"It's likely that your letter didn't come through. We couldn't receive every one," Kathryn said.

"I only received one from Sveta…"

"And I the one from Mark."

"We also wrote you, Katie," Phoebe said.

"I thought so."

Sekaya looked at her brother. "And I wrote what had happened to me but that I was safe because Gretchen and Phoebe were taking care of me."

"Still that doesn't explain why you didn't tell me later," Chakotay complained.

"I'm sorry, Chakotay. I thought you knew. And I'm pretty sure I told you later but I don't know. We were only allowed to write brief letters."

"You could've told me," Kathryn addressed her mother and sister.

"Maybe," Gretchen shrugged. "But is that important now? You're home safe and sound and for three years we watched out for Sekaya and Chapa."

"Gretchen and Phoebe gave me a home when I needed one, Chakotay. I am forever grateful and you should be too."

Chakotay nodded and laid his arm around his sister's shoulders. "I am."

"Great." Gretchen clapped her hands once. "Chakotay will come with us to Indiana. Oh!" she saw Mrs. Kim walking by. "I need to say hello to Mary. The pie I made from the recipe she gave me was delicious." She looked at her eldest daughter. "You're okay now, Katie?"

Kathryn nodded and Chakotay wondered if he was the only one who could see that she wasn't okay. Gretchen smiled though, and without another word she walked away.

"I need to look after our crew whose families aren't here yet," Kathryn said quietly without looking at Chakotay and his brow furrowed, worried.

"I'll join you."

"We should split up," she said coldly and he felt like being stabbed at her chose of words.

"Okay," he nodded, his mouth suddenly dry.

"We'll see you later," Kathryn said to Phoebe and Sekaya and walked away. Chakotay followed her.

"She doesn't like it that I live at your place," Sekaya said sadly, watching her brother and Kathryn leave.

"It's your home now, too. And Katie will get used to it, trust me."

"Maybe it's time that I move out."

"Nonsense," Phoebe said firmly. "As soon as she meets your adorable son she'll be head over heels in love with him and won't even remember that she was upset at first." Sekaya smiled wryly, not nearly convinced, though Phoebe ended any more discussion by dragging her with her. "Come. I want to meet the Delaney sisters."

For the next hour Kathryn talked to members of her crew who didn't have family or whose family wasn't there yet. She had made sure that they had a place to go to and wouldn't be alone and now she saw that her efforts had been successful. Not one of them seemed sad or lonely. All were happy to be home.

"I'm fine, Captain," Tal Celes repeated her earlier words. "My mother is on her way and until she's here I'm staying with Billy and his family."

"I just want you to know that you can call me or Commander Chakotay any time you need us."

"I know, Captain. Thank you."

Kathryn looked at Tal once more but saw no uncertainty or sadness in her eyes so she squeezed her shoulder, smiled at her and turned around. She was glad that her crew was coping so well but deep within she was in need of distraction. The fact that Chakotay would spend the next two weeks, maybe even more, in Indiana had startled her. To have her first officer and once best friend around would be nice and a good opportunity to mend the rift between them but the prospect of seeing him together with, Kathryn swallowed, Seven in her childhood home was enough to turn her stomach into a knot.

Seeing that her mother and sister were standing alone at the moment gave her hope. Maybe she could get her mother to take the invitation back.

#

"One word," Kathryn hissed at her mother. "One word: Sekaya. Sekaya, your first officer's sister is living with us now."

"That's more than one word," Gretchen rolled her eyes. "And we did tell you."

"Yes, in the letter I never got."

"How could I know that, Kathryn?"

Kathryn rubbed her face and grunted.

"I know it's not easy, Sweetheart," Gretchen soothed her like she was a three year old. "…but things have changed here."

"Still, a little bit more information would've been great, mother."

"Hey, don't be mad," Phoebe chimed in, getting angry at how Kathryn spoke to their mother.

"How would you feel if you come home after seven years and nothing is like it was before?" Kathryn snapped.

Gretchen knew the expressions on her daughters' faces too well. They were ready to kill each other and she knew she had to end this right there. "Kathryn, I know that it is hard to adapt…" Phoebe noticed Kathryn flinching at this word. "…but in my household I'm the captain. And I say Chakotay can stay with his sister and nephew as long as he wants." Kathryn knew there was no reason to argue further so she nodded in defeat even if she hadn't even asked what she wanted to ask."If you'll excuse me, there's a newborn baby I want to cuddle."

Gretchen left and meanwhile on the other side of the room Chakotay had a discussion with his sister.

"One word, Sekaya," he whispered. "One word: Janeway. I am living at your captain's childhood home now, Chakotay."

"I told you," Sekaya muttered.

"Yes, in that very first letter but then never again."

"I thought you knew!"

"Well, obviously I didn't."

Chakotay exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose, something Sekaya had never seen him do.

"What do you think we should do now?"

He dropped his hand to his side and looked openly at his sister. "I'm coming with you, of course," he said calmly without a doubt.

"But it's obvious that Kathryn doesn't like it… or me."

"Hey," he grabbed her shoulders. "I don't know why she reacted the way she did but you're not the reason, okay?" he said firmly. "So much happened during the last few days. It's a lot to take in, especially for her. Just give her some time to calm down."

Sekaya nodded and his hands slid from her shoulders. When he saw that she believed his words a mischievous gleam appeared in his eyes. "It would be nice to hear the whole story about how you ended up with my captain's mother and sister one day," he chuckled.

"I'm going to tell you everything, Chakotay."

"I'm sure you will," his said playfully. "I'll threaten you if I need to."

She put her hands on her hips, her eyes twinkling. "Try."

#

Little by little people started to leave. Kathryn got a hug from every member of her crew and it felt odd to see them leave to places she had never been with people she barely knew.

At one point Gretchen and Phoebe came. "We're leaving now, too, Katie."

"Okay," Kathryn nodded and hugged them both. "It'll take me a while."

"Just make sure that you're home for dinner," Gretchen said with a wink.

"I will," she promised.

They left and Kathryn turned to see that Chakotay was talking to Seven of Nine. Her aunt and his sister were standing next to them and Kathryn couldn't hear what they were talking but he seemed to soothe and reassure her. When he stopped talking, Seven gave him a simple nod and he embraced her for a quick hug. Kathryn couldn't help but feeling a pang of jealousy at the gesture. She wasn't aware that she was staring at them until she noticed that Sekaya was watching her. Embarrassed at being caught, she turned away.

"Sekaya?"

Chakotay brought Sekaya back into present. "Yes?" she said, shaking her head a little to clear her mind.

"We can leave."

"Yes," she said absently and saw Seven and her aunt leaving and Kathryn talking to an Admiral.

Chakotay took her arm and Sekaya wondered about what she just witnessed, though, Chakotay stopped her train of thoughts as soon as they were out of the door. "Sekaya?"

She saw hesitation in his face. "Yes?"

"I should go back."

"Why?" she frowned.

He tugged at his earlobe and although she sensed his distress she couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight. "I used to think that when we got home it would be Kathryn with whom I went to Indiana the first time," he told her honestly. Sekaya suppressed a grin. "Would you be mad if I came later, with her?"

"Of course not, Chakotay. We'll be waiting for you."

"Thank you, sister," he hugged her.

"Thank you, brother."

She walked on to the transporter room and he went back. The room was almost empty and he saw Kathryn saying her good-bye to the Doctor and Lt. Barclay. They started to walk towards him and when he passed them he just gave them a single nod as they had said their good-byes earlier and missed how Kathryn's face fell when she saw that he walked in her direction. "What are you still doing here?" she asked, unnerved.

"I thought we could go home together."

"I have a meeting with Admiral Hayes in an hour."

"I know. I can come with you," he offered.

"There's no need to, Commander. You know he only wants to talk to me."

"Then I'll wait."

"It could take hours. You should go with your sister and meet your nephew."

She was evasive and they both knew it, though he also knew that it was pointless to argue further. "Are you sure?"

She nodded her head. "I am."

He sighed. "I'll see you later, then."

"If I understood my mother correctly I'm sure you will."

He really wanted to know why she was so upset but knew that this wasn't the right time to force the issue. They parted and he walked to the transporter room, hoping to catch Sekaya on the way but she was already gone and a few minutes later he stood in front of a farmhouse in Bloomington, Indiana. Alone.