Disclaimer: I own neither Star Trek: Voyager nor the characters used here. I only take them out to play with the promise to return them later, much happier than they were.

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"Your debriefings are over?" she asks, touching his shoulder as she comes up behind him. He's not surprised that she's here; she's always around when he needs her the most. Nodding, he looks up and is struck by how relaxed her face is, how there's no tension in her expression. He's been sitting here waiting for her, waiting to see how her final debriefings went, but he can't read her as well as he used to. Patting the empty spot on the bench to his right, he turns his attention back to the ocean.

"Yes, and the Board of Admirals cleared me of all charges associated with the Maquis. They honored my field commission and insisted on giving me seven years of backpay," he says, shaking his head slowly. "I told them that I appreciate it all, but I couldn't stay so I resigned my commission. It all felt too good to be true, you know?"

"I know what you mean," she agrees, sinking onto the bench with a soft sigh. "But if this helps assure you that this isn't some alien pitcher plant's influence, I resigned my commission too."

His head whips around to stare at her, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. The idea of Kathryn Janeway not being in Starfleet was unfathomable; she's given so many years to 'fleet and had grown up in a 'fleet family.

"You what?" he breathes, still trying to wrap his head around what's happening. "Why . . . What made you resign your commission?"

She smiles sadly, turning to face him fully as her hand slowly comes up to grip his upper arm. Her voice is soft as she says, "There's nothing left in Starfleet for me, Chakotay. If I'm completely honest, I've been planning this for a long time. I'm tired, worn down, and burnt out. Seven years is an ungodly long time to be on duty without respite and I need a break."

He nods slightly, reaching up to cover her hand with his as his eyes bore into hers. He's still having trouble accepting the thought of her leaving Starfleet, but it's slowly starting to filter into his mind.

"So what will you do?"

She shrugs as she looks out at the ocean and he mimics her, watching a seagull swoop down low over the water. He can't imagine her happy anywhere other than on the bridge of a ship, so he's curious to see what she plans to do with her life now. She catches him off-guard, though.

"How's Seven?"

"Fine. The Doctor's helping her settle into life on Earth and I'm sure we'll be getting word of their official relationship soon."

"I'm happy for her, though I have to admit that I'm happier for her now that she's moved on from trying to have a relationship with you."

He's about to ask her why his failed relationship with Seven would mean anything to her when he feels her hand slip tentatively into his. He's surprised and caught off-guard again, but his heart starts to pound as he swallows hard. Her voice is soft when it comes again and he has to strain to hear it over the noise of the crashing waves.

"I love you, Chakotay, and I'm sorry for never telling you. I thought that by ignoring the feelings, and later denying them, it would make everything easier. I couldn't believe I'd let myself fall for my first officer, but by the time I realized that I had, it was too late. I should have told you even though it would have made it harder to keep my distance. But I didn't and then I thought I lost you to Seven and I-"

He hears the tears at the same time her voice fails her. Reaching over with one arm, he pulls her closer, tucking her up against his side. He presses a kiss to her hair and gives her a gentle squeeze.

"I love you too, Kathryn. I always have and I always will."

They stay on the bench for hours, staring out at the ocean and talking about their future together.