AN: Hey guys, this is my first fanfic and I have no other writing experiences so please be gentle ;) This first chapter takes place after Dark Frontier. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Voyager and its crew don't belong to me, I just borrowed them for a while.

Chapter 1: Promotion

Messhall 19:30h

It had been a long day getting Seven back from the Borg which had left Kathryn Janeway drained and in desperate need of coffee. Walking over to the replicator after entering the mess hall she overheard a conversation between the Wildman's who apparently hadn't noticed her yet:

"Uncle Neelix said I would make a very good Captain's assistant." Naomi said with a hint of pride in her voice.

"The captain is a very busy woman, you are not to disturb her again, do you hear me?"

"But mum! Why can't I just ask her?"

Kathryn choose that moment to sit down beside Naomi. She took a sip of her coffee and asked with the hint of a smile: "Can I join you?"

Ensign Wildman immediately started to apologize: "I'm so sorry she disturbed you earlier today captain! She won't bother you again, will you Naomi?"

Before Naomi could say anything Kathryn answered: "At ease ensign, she's never a bother, I rather liked her initiative and she had a creative plan even though the sensors wouldn't be able to reach far enough..."

Naomi looked from her mother to the captain and back: "Can I ask her now mum? She's not busy now..."

Kathryn held up her hand to stop Samantha's protests and softly said: "Ask me what?"

Naomi put on a serious face and started out: "I wanted to ask if I could be your captain's assistant? You are always so busy that you surely could use one and I need the work experience for when I grow up and become a captain myself."

Kathryn thought for a moment while looking into Naomi's hopeful eye's. "I think that is a wonderful idea! Why don't you make a list of duty's you think might be relevant for a captain's assistant? I'll do the same and we compare notes tomorrow? Come to my ready room after you're done with your classes." Kathryn gave them a smile before getting up and leaving the mess hall for her quarters.

Chakotay's Quarters 20:15h

Pushing the chime of Chakotay's door she waited for the door to open before entering. "Hey, am I interrupting anything?"

"No, no come in." Chakotay made room beside him on the couch, which was covered in PADD's, and motioned for her to take a seat.

Sitting down beside him, just a little bit closer than normal, she laid her hand on his arm, needing the physical contact after everything that had happened that day. "Need help with those reports?"

He shook his head "you already got stuck with the largest share, I'm just... slow..."

"A lot on your mind...?"

He took her hand that was resting on his arm and squeezed softly "Just glad you're back in one piece."

"Me too Chakotay, me too"

He gave her hand another squeeze before letting go, indicating the PADD's he asked: "Did you want to discuss these or is this just a social call?"

Feeling the sudden loss of the physical contact she wrapped her arms around her stomach while pulling her legs up on the couch "Something in between..., ship business first?"

He nodded his approval before getting up and ordering a tea and a coffee from the replicator.

Kathryn wrapped her hands around the cup, "Thanks... do you have any small, light, not complicated, very easy duties you might want to get reassigned to someone else...?"

Chakotay sat op straighter "to whom? You're not going to do my reports, you've got enough work as it is. Didn't the doctor tell you to take a couple of days off because of increased stress levels?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

A small smile graced her lips "The doctor should not be discussing my health with you..."

"He didn't, I uh... overheard you talking, sorry."

Sighing softly she crawled further into the cushions "It's alright... I might actually take a couple of hours off next week or so, after I've caught up with everything."

Chakotay let out a small chuckle "I'll hold you to that, now tell me about this duty reassignment."

"As of tomorrow I got myself an assistant and I need some light duties for her."

"An assistant?"

"Yes... Naomi... she asked and I figured since the doctor is teaching her biology, B'Elanna is giving her engineering lessons, I should put my penny in as well... She is a very bright girl, she came to me with a rescue plan for Seven, suggested that we adapt the sensors to the frequency of Seven's cortical implant."

Chakotay looked at her for a moment, she was still hugging herself but the thought of Naomi seemed to make her happy. He flashed his dimples at her "She is smart, and she seems to lift your spirits... I think I can come up with something... How about picking up the weekly reports on Friday? That would save me a lot of interruptions from people 'just dropping of a report.'"

"Hmm good idea... let me know if you come up with something else. I think she just wants to have a purpose like everyone else on board."

"Probably" he was quiet for a moment before continuing "how about getting Naomi her own uniform?"

"Oh good idea! She'll love that, it has to be unofficial but it'll make her feel part of us I hope." Kathryn walked over to the replicator and entered some commands before a small uniform appeared in the replicator, she held it up for Chakotay to see. It was a standard uniform with gold red and blue stripes on the shoulders. "What do you think? Since she is getting lessons in all departments..."

"There is just one thing missing," he walked over to the replicator as well and produced a small pin with the words 'captain's assistant' and handed it to Katherine "her very own pip."

Kathryn flashed a big smile "we'll have a little ceremony tomorrow, for now I'd better leave you to your reports, goodnight Chakotay." she laid her hand on his chest, for just a moment looking up at him with a forlorn look in her eyes. Just as quickly she looked away, leaving his quarters before he could reply.

Ready Room 16:05h

Naomi entered the ready room the next day after the doors slid open, walking up to the captain's desk she said: "Naomi Wildman reporting for duty Captain!"

Kathryn looked up from her computer with a smile, have a seat Naomi.

Naomi sat down and handed her a PADD. "I made a list of possible duties as you requested Captain."

Kathryn took the PADD, scrolled through it and made some adjustments. "Good work, I added a couple of things... We'll see how things work out and maybe make some adjustments later on. Now, next order of business, you're out of uniform assistant."

Naomi looked confused at her clothing "I don't have a uniform Captain..."

Kathryn's smile widened as she handed Naomi the new uniform. "Now, this uniform comes with some responsibilities... You will report for duty Monday through Friday after your lessons. When you've completed your tasks for the day I'll try to make some time for some command lessons but I can't promise you anything on that, understood?"

Naomi nodded while still being transfixed on the uniform in front of her, a huge smile on her face.

Kathryn looked at her for a moment before continuing "Why don't you get changed in here and meet me on the bridge when you're done." she softly padded Naomi's head before heading onto the bridge herself.

Bridge 16:15h

Taking a seat besides Chakotay she gave him a wink and whispered "She's as happy as Tom on the holodeck".

Chakotay smiled "good, is she getting changed now?"

Kathryn nodded before tapping her combadge "Janeway to ensign Wildman, please report to the bridge.".

An "Aye Captain" sounded across the bridge while Tom shared a questioning look with Harry, something was going on...

A minute later Ensign Wildman walked onto the bridge. "Reporting as ordered captain."

Kathryn gave her a sly smile: "Thank you ensign, please wait a moment here, we will need your presence any minute now."

While ensign Wildman looked around nervously Chakotay whispered in the captain's ear: "You didn't tell the poor woman did you."

Kathryn looked at the ensign for a moment before admitting with a twinkel of mischief in her eyes: "uh no... That would ruin the surprise now would it?"

Chakotay flashed her a smile that showed off his dimpels very nicely before refocusing on the console between them.

The ready room doors slid open with a hiss and Naomi entered the bridge, proudly wearing het new uniform. Samantha turned to look and her eyes widened slightly but before she could say anything Kathryn stood and called:

"Naomi Wildman, front and center." Naomi walked over to the captain while everyone on the bridge turned to look at them.

"As ship's captain I hereby instate you as voyagers first captain's assistant with all the privileges and responsibilities therein."

Naomi beamed up at her with a big smile that grew when the captain opened a small box and pulled out the pin. She pinned it to Naomi's collar before giving her a soft smile. "Congratulations"

"Thank you." Naomi shook the captain's outstretched hand before turning around and hugging her mother.

Kathryn took her seat beside Chakotay and gave him a warm smile and a wink. "As first officer I expect you to break her in."

Chakotay chuckeled "Yes Captain."

It wasn't long before Samantha left the bridge and Naomi walked over to the command team with a serious look on her face and a PADD in her hand. "Permission to leave the bridge to pick up reports captain?"

Kathryn gave a smile and a nod "Permission granted, just make sure you report to commander Chakotay before the end of your shift, he'll break you in."

"Aye Captain!" and with that Naomi turned and left the bridge.

Kathryn stood as well: "You have the bridge commander, I'll be in my ready room."

End Chapter 1

AN: Please leave a review, constructive feedback and tips are greatly appreciated