Part 2

"I'm telling you Tom, she kissed Seven, everyone saw." Harry grabbed Tom's arm, "They left together!"

Tom Paris stopped and looked at Harry, "You're not joking are you?" He shook his head in disappointment, "I can't believe we missed it all."

"The whole room went quiet..."

Harry's next words were cut short by a low female voice, "Morning gentleman." Janeway greeted her two officers walking by with a spring in her step.

Harry's face was a picture, "Do you think she heard what I said?"

Tom grinned patting Harry on the back, "Only most of it."

Harry looked mortified shaking his head as he continued to the Bridge.


Kathryn shifted in her seat, the shift was uneventful so far. She was surprised that Star Fleet had not inundated her with information requests already, but decided to be grateful. It was quite nice to have a steady shift after the recent excitement.

Kathryn decided to visit the newest member of her crew, "Janeway to Torres,"

"Torres here Captain."

"B'Elanna are you feeling up to me visiting?"

B'Elanna was sat in the quarters she shared with Tom cradling their daughter, "Miral, Tom, and I would be happy to see you Captain."

Kathryn had given Tom Paris the day off to spend with his wife and newborn baby. She had felt guilty that she could not give him longer but she wanted his skills at the helm when they docked. She need not have worried because Tom knew he was the best man for the job and there was no way he was letting someone else pilot Voyager into dock.

"Replicate a coffee, I'm on my way." Kathryn stood and told Chakotay, "You have the Bridge Commander."

Chakotay nodded "Aye Captain."

Kathryn pressed the door chime and stood outside B'Elanna and Tom's quarters. "Come in" B'Elanna called.

"Hello," Kathryn walked in smiling arms outstretched to B'Elanna, wrapping her in a hug, "Congratulations both of you." Kathryn turned to Tom who was holding Miral in his arms, "Could I have a hold Tom?"

"Sure, she's awake." Tom gingerly passed Miral to Kathryn.

"Oh she is beautiful." Kathryn remarked holding Miral tightly and smiling down at her. Kathryn looked up at B'Elanna, "How are you feeling?"

"Better now it's all over after so many false starts."

"Ah yes," Kathryn chuckled, "we had a sweep stake on when it would actually happen."

Tom motioned, "Sit down Captain." Tom placed the Captain's coffee within reach

"Thanks Tom."

B'Elanna sat next to the Captain, she was eyeing her suspiciously and in the end she could not hold her curiosity in check any longer, "Captain are you and Seven together?"

Kathryn snapped her attention up to meet B'Elanna's gaze, "Would it matter if we were?"

"Well no..." B'Elanna withered under the Captain's stare.

"Good." Kathryn cut her off with a thin smile. Changing the subject quickly Kathryn asked Tom, "Have you spoken to your father?"

"Yeah," Tom replied smiling looking at the floor uncharacteristically shy, "he's made up"

"I'll bet, you know I called him Grandpa and I got away with it!" Kathryn gently passed Miral to B'Elanna to take up her coffee. Shifting back on the sofa she asked, "B'Elanna when we return for the debrief would you help Seven move her alcove?"

"Of course Captain," B'elanna replied but she could not resist adding, "you'll have to let me know where to though..."

Kathryn found herself smiling and replying in a low tone, "Oh I will Lieutenant." Standing slowly she placed her mug down on the table stating, "Duty calls." Heading for the door Kathryn turned and added with a smile, "I am so pleased for both of you."


"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway,"

"I'm packing in my Quarters Seven go ahead."

Seven smiled knowing this casual reply meant Kathryn was likely to be alone, "Kathryn have you had your evening meal?"

"No not yet, are you cooking?"

"I have checked and the holodeck is vacant, I wondered if you would accompany me for a meal?" Seven stood still suddenly feeling very nervous.

"Sounds wonderful, what time?"

"19:00hrs."

"See you then, Janeway out."

Seven began to prepare, she had taken the liberty of interrogating Kathryn's holodeck programs. She had found a beautiful location and that seemed to meet the requirements.


Kathryn appeared slightly out of breath and was greeted curtly, "Kathryn you are 5.5 minutes late."

"Sorry, I didn't know where we were going and I couldn't decide what to wear." Kathryn reached up with a loving smile and stroked Seven's cheek, she could have asked but it would ruin the surprise. In the end Kathryn had chosen a white shirt and a pair of brown three quarter length trousers. Seven wore her hair down and was dressed in a summer dress which was white with a blue pattern.

"You are forgiven," Seven raised her eyebrow and added, "this time".

"Noted." Kathryn replied before extending her hand, "Shall we?" The two entered the holodeck and Kathryn beamed. Striding ahead before turning back to Seven with a sweep of her arm stating, "My favourite beach!" Kathryn held out her hand indicating for Seven to join her. Kathryn took the picnic basket from her allowing Seven to lay the blanket and they both sat looking out over the sea,"You know my Mother and Father brought us here as children."

"It is beautiful," Seven looked over at Kathryn and added, "as are you."

Kathryn blushed and drop her head at the compliment, "I don't know about that." Kathryn could not help the self doubt that was rising, she looked up at seven, "I'm older than you Seven..."

"Yes you are Kathryn," Seven leaned over and kissed Kathryn stopping any further protest. Parting she looked her in the eyes and said, "You are beautiful."

"Thank you" Kathryn smiled shyly.

"You are welcome." Seven sat up straight and asked, "Would you like something to eat?"

They sat chatting and eating, enjoying each others company.

"That was lovely Seven."

"You have not eaten a lot, did you not find it to your taste?" Seven asked with concern in her voice.

"I'm sorry, I think it's our being together." Seven looked worried, and Kathryn laughed, "Oh I don't mean it in a negative way Seven, I'm so nervous and excited I'm off my food."

"I see." Seven gave a full smile feeling reassured which made Kathryn chuckle again.

"Come on lets take a walk." Kathryn standing held out her hand and she pulled Seven to her feet. Kathryn wrapped her arm around Seven's waist and Seven did the same on instinct.

The two walked along in silence until a way along the beach Seven stopped. Kathryn looked up into Seven's eyes and she looked lost, "I am so scared Kathryn." Seven spoke with such emotion, she was close to tears.

"Why Seven?" Kathryn frowned and stroked Seven's arms, "What has made you suddenly so upset?"

"I do not want to leave our home." Seven could not stop the tears any longer.

"It will be okay Seven, I promise you will adapt." Kathryn wiped a stray tear from Seven's cheek.

Seven shook her head and choked out, "I do not want to adapt Kathryn."

"I know, but you will," Kathryn squeezed Seven's arms, "we will." Kathryn pulled Seven into a hug stroking her back.

After a while Seven's breathing became more steady. Kathryn pulled away to look at Seven, "Do you need to regenerate tonight?"

"No Kathryn."

"Would you like to sleep with me in my quarters?" Kathryn reached up to brush some hair from Seven's face adding, "Just to sleep?"

"Yes." Seven still looked sad but relieved that she would not be on her own tonight.


The computer woke Kathryn, "The time is 06:00hrs." As she woke she realised she had a Borg enhanced arm laid possessively round her waist. She turned round to face Seven smiling, "Good morning".

"Good morning Kathryn, did you sleep well?"

"Very thank you." Kathryn stroked Seven's hair away from her eyes and searching Seven's face she asked, "Are you feeling better Seven?"

"Much, thank you Kathryn." Seven broke eye contact debating if she should tell Kathryn the other reason why she was more emotional at the moment. Realising Kathryn was eyeing her worryingly she decided she to confide in her, "Kathryn I think there may be another reason why I am emotional at the moment." Kathryn waited for Seven to continue, "The Doctor has removed my cortical implants."

Kathryn sat herself up in bed and Seven mirrored the action, "What do you mean Seven?"

"The implants suppress a drones emotions. The doctor offered to remove them after I experienced complications." Seven looked down at her lap linking her fingers together "The implants caused me to loose consciousness when I experience strong emotions."

Kathryn took hold of one of Seven's had kissing the palm "I understand."

"Well we better get moving Seven, it's a long busy day today and we're going to be late".


The shift had passed quickly and 16:00hrs approached. Voyager had slowed to impulse and was waiting for the hail from the space dock. Harry Kim spoke up, excitement clear in his voice, "Captain space dock is hailing us."

"On screen," the view screen showed a very fresh faced Commander grinning from ear to ear. "Commander, Captain Janeway of the Starship Voyager requesting permission to dock." Kathryn spoke with total confidence.

"Permission granted Captain, Welcome home."

"Thank you Commander, Voyager out." Kathryn turned to Chakotay and said in a quiet voice, "He looked just out of the Academy."

Chakotay smiled back, "We're getting older Kathryn." Kathryn returned the smile with a shake of her head.

Kathryn straightened herself in her seat, "Tom take us in, steady as she goes."

"Yes Ma'am."

The space dock on the view screen was simply enormous. The bay door was open and the landing lights were slowly coming into view. Slowly Voyager moved closer and closer until finally the ship was inside the dock. "Coming into position." Tom announced.

"Stand by to dock." Chakotay ordered.

Harry checked his console stating, "Ready to dock Sir."

Kathryn ordered, "Engage mooring beams and lock off."

"Yes Ma'am," replied Tom, checking his display before announcing with a grin "Captain we're docked."

Spontaneous cheers and applause erupted from everyone on the bridge.

"Well done Tom." Kathryn turned to look at Harry smiling, "We're home." Kathryn's voice broke as she spoke. She could feel tears brewing, quickly excusing herself standing and saying, "I'll be in my Ready Room."


Sitting down at her desk she managed to get her emotions back under control. Tapping her comm badge she called, "Janeway to the Doctor,"

"Doctor here, go ahead Captain."

"Doctor the quarantine scans are due to begin at 17:00hrs, can you confirm that you are ready to monitor the progress for any issues?"

"Yes Captain I am, although I must reiterate that I find this most insulting..." The Doctor had taken exception to the scans as he felt they questioned his medical abilities. He had argued that if the crew had anything contagious he would know about it.

Kathryn sighed rubbing her brow "Doctor I am well aware of your objections, just get it done."

"Yes Captain." the Doctor replied obviously disgruntled.

Kathryn breathed deeply and began to look through her messages from Star Fleet. There still was nothing of note, perhaps no news was good news, she was just surprised that she had not already been bombarded with information requests.

Kathryn decided to turn her attention to her disembarkation speech to the crew tomorrow.


It was 08:00hrs and the Captain was on tenterhooks. The quarantine scans had been completed in record time at shortly after midnight, all was well and she was becoming increasingly impatient, "Admiral Paris said we could disembark after 08:00hrs, the scans are complete, what is keeping them Chakotay?" There had been no contact from Star Fleet since midnight and Kathryn was now pacing up and down the bridge.

"Maybe they are rolling out the red carpet." Chakotay joked but there was no smile with the comment, the Commander also looked frustrated.

"Space dock to Voyager"

Kathryn shot a glance to Chakotay, "This better be good news."

"On screen!" Kathryn ordered as she stood still, hands on hips, facing the view screen.

"Captain sorry for the delay, red tape I'm afraid."

"I'm a little out of practice with bureaucracy Commander." Kathryn replied a sharply.

The fresh faced Commander smiled nervously, "I have orders to allow you to disembark Captain."

"Not before time! When can we begin Commander?"

"12:00hrs Captain."

"We'll be ready Commander, Voyager out." Kathryn turned and said to Harry, "Put out a ship wide message to all hands Harry, assemble in the shuttle bay 10:00hrs."

Harry nodded "Aye Captain."


Kathryn arrive in the shuttle bay 10:00hrs on the dot, her crew were waiting for her and dutifully fell silent on seeing her walk in. Kathryn came to a stop facing her senior staff who were stood at the front of crowd.

Tom Paris stepped forward grabbing a sturdy empty plastic crate from the side of the shuttle bay. He strode purposefully back towards the Captain grinning, "They might want to see you at the back Ma'am."

"Thank you Tom, I think." Kathryn laughed as she mounted her makeshift stage.

Looking out over her crew she could feel her emotions beginning to rise again. Her eyes came to rest on Seven who was stood in front of her. Seven nodded to her and she took a deep breath before beginning, "Crew of Voyager, I will keep this brief." Kathryn cleared her throat, "At 12:00hrs today we will disembark and you will go home to see your friends and families. We have spent seven years with this as our goal. In that time a new family and a new home on Voyager has been formed." Kathryn paused taking another deep breath trying to keep her emotions in check before continuing, "I want you all to know that it has been my honour to serve as your Captain. There is no better crew in Star Fleet." Her voice was starting to crack, keep it short and sweet she thought as she added, "Thank you all and enjoy your leave. Dismissed."

Kathryn stepped down from the crate as Tom shouted, "Three cheers for Captain Janeway, hip hip!"

The entire crew, even Tuvok shouted out "Hooray!" Kathryn shook her head in embarrassment looking at Tom. "Hip Hip!" He shouted again grinning.

"Hooray!" the crew replied and Kathryn covered her mouth putting her other hand on her hip.

"Hip hip!" Tom shouted for the last time.

"Hooray!" the crew answered in unison before a spontaneous round of applause.

Kathryn was deeply moved by the display. She moved the hand that was covering her mouth saying, "Thank you" although no one could hear over the clapping.

When the lull finally came Kathryn could not hold back the tide of the emotions any longer and began to cry. She moved quickly from the front to stand next to the senior staff in an attempt to hide her emotional state.

Chakotay and the rest of the crew began gradually to leave. The remaining senior staff gathered round Kathryn patting her on the back and hugging her. Kathryn was laughing and crying at the same time, "Sorry, I guess it's all a bit overwhelming."

"An understandable human response Captain." Tuvok reassured her.

"Thank you." Kathryn smiled at Tuvok.

Kathryn turned to Tom pointing her finger at him, "I blame you for this Lieutenant!" Referring to her emotional state.

"Yes Ma'am" Tom said smiling back at his Captain.


12:00hrs and Kathryn was stood nervously waiting for Voyager's doors to open. Protocol meant that she was 1st off the ship, followed by Chakotay. Standing next to him in the corridor just waiting was not really her, or his preference at the moment. They had so far managed to be civil and professionally fairly friendly towards one another, but it was forced. Kathryn knew Chakotay well enough to know that he was uncomfortable having to spend any time around her unless it was absolutely necessary. Having to be in each others company with no other distractions made for a deafening silence, and unpleasant atmosphere.

At last the doors open and Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped out into the corridor and jumped slightly as she was piped aboard the space dock. She looked over to see Admiral Paris waiting for her. She smiled warmly walking towards him, "Hello Sir." Kathryn stretched her hand out to the Admiral.

"Hello Kathryn, it's good to see you in the flesh," Admiral Paris shook her hand placing his hand on her elbow.

"Likewise Admiral." Kathryn added with a smile, "I think we're holding up the line Sir." Admiral Paris chuckled and Kathryn moved on shaking the young Space Dock Commander's hand, before heading to the transporter room.

Kathryn had agreed with Seven that she would wait for her in the transporter room so they could beam down to Earth together. Seven had joked that as Kathryn was not able to leave Voyager with her she would leave with her 'younger woman', Kathryn knew Seven was going to miss Naomi Wildman.

The crew were beamed down to earth in groups. Waiting for Seven gave Kathryn an opportunity to say some personal farewells to while they waited for the transporter pads to fill.

Samantha Wildman joined the Captain until finally Seven walked in, hand in hand with Naomi. Samantha smiled at her daughter and Seven, "There you two are."

"I shook hands with Admiral Paris." Naomi announce proudly.

"Did you?" Samantha asked.

Kathryn smiled at Naomi, "I hope he isn't poaching my assistant?"

This made the girl giggle and she unexpectedly ran up to the Captain throwing her arms around her waist. Kathryn bent down and returned the cuddle, "Enjoy your leave Naomi."

"Thank you Captain." Naomi replied letting go of Kathryn and standing to attention.

"Goodbye Naomi Wildman" Seven knelt down for a cuddle, Naomi turned from the Captain and wrapped her arms around Seven's neck.

"Bye Seven, I'll call you. We can still play Kardis-Kot like you did with Neelix."

"That would be acceptable" Seven replied, quickly wiping a stray tear to hide it from her young friend before moving away from her.

"Come on then Naomi lets go." Samantha held out her hand to her daughter, "See you in two weeks Captain, Seven." Mother and daughter walked over and took their places on the transporter pad. Seven moved to stand beside Kathryn and they watched the two fade away in the transporter beam.

Kathryn and Seven were left alone except for the Transporter Chief. Kathryn turned to face Seven, reaching up she cupped her face with both hands and asked, "Are you ready?"

Seven placed her hands on Kathryn's waist and replied in a broken voice, "I am not, but we can not remain here."

Kathryn pulled Seven down and kissed her on the lips. Not wanting to give a too lengthy public a display in front of the Transporter Chief, she pulled away, "I love you Seven of Nine."

"I love you too Kathryn Janeway." That was the boost she needed and Seven walked towards the transporter pad hand in hand with Kathryn.

Facing the Chief Kathryn ordered, "Energise."