Kathryn waited on the grounds where Voyager stood, even now the majestic beauty of this ship still awed her. And the San Francisco skyline didn't distract attention, Voyager dominated the area she stood and that around it. Kathryn could feel a sadness in the pit of her stomach, almost like homesickness.

"She's beautiful. Alamo the as beautiful as her captain."

Kathryn turned around to find Mark walking up to her, she smiled at him as he gave her a hug.

"Thank you." Kathryn had opted for an ankle length dark blue dress, with her hair tied back into a small bun, it was simple, she didn't want anything to fancy. "But I think you mean ex-captain."

Mark laughed. "Whatever happens to Voyager, you'll always be her captain." He took step back slightly, admiring her. "I still can't believe you cut your hair." He kissed her forehead. "Shall we?" He motioned toward her former home.

Kathryn slipped her arm through his and tapped her commbadge. "Voyager, two to beam up."

They had beamed to the transporter room and made their way to the holodeck, Kathryn's arm still locked in Mark's. They entered the holodeck and stopped in awe.

"Wow." Mark said.

They stepped into a large hall, an elaborate chandelier hung from the middle of ceiling, surrounded by several smaller ones. There were round tables covering the floor, a bar stood at one end of the room, at the other she could make a stage, no doubt for the many speeches there would be. They had gone all out, even Kathryn had to admit she was impressed by the elegance of it. Mark grabbed two glasses of wine from a passing waiter and handed her one.

They mingled, after catching up with Gretchen, she'd reassured her mother that she was perfectly fine and that she hadn't acted like a child storming off. Then they made their way through the crowd, she was aware of her crew - former crew - looking and commenting at her being with Mark. She was now stood Tom and B'Elanna, Mark having gone to talk to some of his friends, when she saw the door to the holodeck open and Chakotay and Seven walk in. Seven was in her usual catsuit, Chakotay wore brown trousers, with a matching jacket and a white shirt. The other couple also noticed them.

"Pay no attention to them." B'Elanna said.

Kathryn watched as they went up to the bar then turned back to Tom and B'Elanna, swallowing down her emotions. "It's fine, really." She knew they didn't believe her by the glance exchanged between husband and wife. She wasn't even sure she believed it herself.

The evening seemed to drag to Kathryn, she was sat at a table with Mark, Chakotay, Seven, Owen and several other important Starfleet officers; had Tuvok been well enough to attend he would have been sat with her. After the three course meal, followed by coffee and all the speeches, the tables and chairs were cleared to the outside of the room to make way for an evening of entertainment. Kathryn saw this as her chance to slip away and retreated to the comfort of her quarters. Most of her belongings were still here, they had only packed a bag then weren't allowed back afterwards.

She'd changed out of her dress and heels, putting on her pink silk trousers and his top. She stood at the window, looking at the nightlife of San Francisco. She missed the stars that used to occupy the view, she sighed with a sadness, when the door chimed.

"Come in." She didn't bother to turn around, instead she watched the door open and shut in the reflection on the window. "What can I do for you, Chakotay?"

"I saw you leave, I didn't get a chance to talk to you. And I wanted to make sure you were all right." He no longer had on his jacket, the top buttons of his shirt were now undone.

"And why do you care?" She asked, still keeping her back to him.

"I care Kathryn, I've cared about you these last seven years."

She shook her head. "But not enough to tell me about a big decision you made."

He sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "I know you're angry -"

"Angry?" She rounded to face him, her fists clenched by her side. "I'm damned angry! You don't contact me for two weeks, you invite Seven to our dinner and before all this I find out from my future self that you're dating her! That you marry her." She spat at the last part at him, then growled. "Of course I'm angry."

"I've explained that Starfleet told me I wasn't allowed to contact you, otherwise I would have." His voice remained calm. "Did you really think after everything, we would get back and I would just cut you out of my life?"

Kathryn pursed her lips and shook her head. "No, you wouldn't do that."

"I suggested dinner to try and make things easy between all of us. But we haven't had one of our dinners and we should, just the two of us." He paused. "I'm sorry you found out that way, truly I am. You're right, Kathryn, I should have talked to you."

Kathryn could feel her anger slipping away, though she tried hard to keep hold of it. "I still care about you. You have no idea how much that hurt." Her eyes started to water.

"I didn't mean to - I never wanted to hurt you." He watched as she wiped a tear from her cheek. "Seven has put us on a break. She needs to work out where I fit in her life now we're back."

"I'm sorry to hear that." It was the right thing to say, even if it wasn't true.

Chakotay shook his head. "Don't be. To be honest it's probably for the best." He ran a hand through his hair, she could he was struggling with what he wanted to say, with what he should say. Finally he spoke. "I've been so stupid. I don't think I stopped loving you, Kathryn. And now looking at you," he laughed. "In my my t-shirt, with your messy hair. All I want more than anything right now is to hold you, to kiss you. Make you mine again. Show you how much I care. How much I love you."

He stepped up to her, taking hold of her hands. "I never stopped loving you."

"I love you too." Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks, slipping from anger to happiness.

He cupped her face, running a thumb over the dampness before capturing her lips with his. Kathryn returned his kiss, it was like their first kiss on New Earth, the love, the passion, the wanting that she felt was real.

Then the door chimed.

They jumped away from each other, Kathryn gave permission for the person to enter, the doors opened and Mark walked in, stopping just in front of the door. He looked between them, not looking very impressed. "I couldn't find you. I wanted to make sure you were all right." He eyed Chakotay.

Kathryn nodded, in her moment with Chakotay she'd forgotten about the man she'd brought to the party. "I'm fine, thank you. I just needed to get out of there."

"Okay, if you need anything let me know." His gazed bore into Chakotay, who shifted uncomfortably under his stared.

"Of course."

"Goodnight." Mark turned and walked out, it was only when the doors were shut did they relax a little.

"I should go." Chakotay headed for the exit, Kathryn grabbed his arm.

"Please don't. I want you to stay." She closed the small gap between them, stands in front of him, it was almost like when he first boarded Voyager, she gazed into his brown eyes, could feel his erratic breathing. "I want you to stay." She repeated.

"Kathryn -."

Any protest was cut off by her mouth crushing down on his, she wanted him. She needed him. She had to be his again. Tomorrow she would deal with Mark, but tonight she was going to be Chakotays. She was going to be with the man she loved.