Kathryn remained silent on the cab ride to the advertising agency. Chakotay scanned the crowds and noticed more and more of Voyager's crew interspersed with the holodeck characters. A few of those characters returned his gaze with interest and he immediately knew they were being watched, probably by Hirogen point men sizing up their game.

"Never been on this side of the hunt before," he mumbled.

"What did you say?" she asked.

Chakotay tried to take her hand but she pulled it away. "Listen," he said. "I'm sorry about what happened back there but there's a reason."

"I don't want to be familiar with your reasons, Mr. Miller."

"Mr. Miller?"

"I'm not calling you, Captain. If you want some girl to fall all over you, go back to the pub. The war's over. Cheap women and wine are not as free as they used to be."

Chakotay turned. "You are not cheap and if anyone ever degraded you by calling you that they would answer to me."

"Then what do you call what you just did?" She shook her head. "You are such a mystery. One minute you can't be macho enough and the next, you treat me like a lady. Tell me, which one is the real you?"

Chakotay smiled. "Well, partner, you tell me. Which one feels right?"

Her eyes lit up. "Partner."

He nodded. "Partner. And partners trust one another. And I have a feeling you and I are going to have to trust one another very soon."

"Soon? How about now? If you can control yourself, I have some more ideas that I think will help Sam."

"That's not what I meant. I meant life or death situations. I know you don't remember this but it's my job to protect you."

Her eyes widened. "And we're back to the male bravado. Life or death? Miller, the war is over. As much as you would like to relive your glory days and have everyone call you Captain, you're home now. It's time to live in reality and not be stuck over there."

"Reality. Exactly."

The cab stopped and the driver helped them out. A few minutes later, they arrived back at his desk with Mr. Jackson demanding a progress report.

Tuvok stood with his hands clasped as he rocked back on his heels. "I trust Captain Miller behaved himself?"

Kathryn avoided his eyes. "Um, I was able to handle Mr. Miller just fine, thank you, Mr. Jackson."

Tuvok looked over. "Good. But I heard there was some commotion at the Paris brewery. Would you please explain that, Captain?"

Chakotay rubbed his face and tried desperately to remember the hours before his chip was removed but he could not. "I, um, I think everything has been resolved over there. Kathryn?"

"Kathryn?" Tuvok drew himself to his full height. "Is that how we address Miss Janeway?"

She hung up her coat. "We got a little bit informal at the pub, Mr. Jackson, but I am sure Mr. Miller will remember his manners."

Tuvok's eyebrow arched. "Pub?"

"It was a business trip. Mr. Miller here got a very nice establishment to serve Sam's beer."

Chakotay cleared his throat. "Yes, it should make for a very nice business arrangement."

Kathryn nodded as Mr. Jackson said, "If I find out that you take this young lady anywhere but a place that is appropriate for her to be, you will regret it, Captain."

Chakotay bristled. "I assure you that my first and only priority is the safety of our…Miss Janeway will always be treated as a lady with me."

Mr. Jackson's eyes were stern until he glanced at Kathryn.

"I was quite fine with Mr. Miller," she said. "He did treat me like a lady, most of the time."

Tuvok's brow arched. "Most of the time? Miss Janeway, I promised the senior Mr. Paris that you would be safe with Captain Miller. I see now that it was a mistake."

"No," Chakotay said. "It wasn't."

Tuvok appraised Chakotay's combative stance. "I would stand down if I were you, Captain. This is my field of play, not yours."

The elevator doors opened and Tom walked off. He gave Chakotay a withering glance.

"Mr. Paris, we were just talking about your family." Tuvok shook his hand. "Captain Miller was just telling us about a new business deal he has made to help you in these difficult times."

Tom smiled. "Hello, Kathryn."

"Sam."

"Everything okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Everything is fine."

Tom looked at Tuvok. "May I borrow your office for a moment? I'd like to speak to her in private."

"About?" Chakotay asked.

"None of your business, Miller. "

"If it concerns our arrangement, it's absolutely my business."

"Well, it doesn't. That's what private means." He held out his arm to her. "Shall we?"

Kathryn ignored him and walked around the group of men and into the office alone.

Chakotay chuckled as Tom glared. "I'll be back," Tom said. "You and I have some things to discuss too."

Chakotay nodded. "Yes, Tom, we do."

"The name's Sam and I suggest you remember your clients' names or I don't anticipate you will be working here much longer." He threw an arm around Tuvok. "Isn't that right, Jackson?"

"My apologies, Mr. Paris. Captain Miller has shown a distinct need to refresh his professionalism today. It will be rectified immediately."

"See that you get on that." With a smirk, Tom entered the office and closed the door.

Chakotay's fist clenched as he glanced at his watch.

"Late for a client?" Tuvok asked. "If so, it will keep." He pulled out the desk drawer and lifted a heavy book emblazoned with the company logo. Opening it to the first page, he laid it on the desk and rolled a chair towards Chakotay. "Shall we begin?"

Kathryn moved around the desk as Tom stared at her. Placing her hands on hips, she finally demanded, "What?"

He rubbed his chin and said, "I wanted to talk about what happened in my office today."

"What happened was disgusting. Tim was your brother."

"Yes and he's not here anymore."

Kathryn shivered. "Don't say that."

"Why not? A lot of families lost a loved one during the war. Ours was no different despite the fact that it's being completely lost in the news right now. My family is being crucified on the radio."

"Is that what you're upset about? That your brother is dead and no one cares?"

"Yes, it's ticking me off quite a bit. My brother would never have been handed shoddy equipment by my father's company to fly in. You know that!"

"No, he would have been exempt and the other men like Captain Miller would have been sacrificed."

Tom's eyes narrowed. "What is it with this guy? You meet him last night, he's an ass, and you run right to him to be by his side?"

Kathryn crossed her arms. "Only to help you."

Tom sat down in a chair. "Thank you for your sacrifice but I don't need it."

"Oh no? You don't need the beer orders from the pub?"

"My family has plenty of money. And one local bar isn't going to make a dent in my payroll."

"I see. So you're going to live off of your father now? His legal fees or more likely his bribery costs aren't going to be cheap. What makes you think you are even going to make your father's payroll? You're not exactly his favorite son!"

Tom stripped off his coat. He threw it on the desk and took a few steps towards her. "I should hit you for that. You don't want to have anything to do with me because I can't make my own money? You need a better meal ticket, Kathryn?"

Kathryn stepped back. "What are you talking about?"

Tom grabbed her and pulled her close. "I am talking about picking up where my brother left off."

Tom's mouth seared hers and she struggled. "Stop it," she gasped.

Tom drew back but held her firm. "You wanted to be a Paris bride. Well, I'm the only one left to make you one."

She pushed against his chest. "No, I wanted to marry Tim only because I loved him. I didn't care about his family."

"Liar. You wouldn't make a very good poker player, Kathryn. But, it doesn't matter. You can still be one. I know what you want."

Kathryn protested as he pushed her against the wall. Books tumbled around them as Tom's lips latched onto to her neck.

The door flew open and Chakotay pulled him off. With a single punch, Tom went flying and sprawled across the floor. As he jumped up, he pointed at Chakotay and said, "You have no idea who you are messing with!"

Chakotay pushed his hand away. "You're right, you don't. The only thing saving you right now is that chip in your head."

"The what?"

Screams from below distracted them as a large explosion and phaser fire rattled the windows.

Kathryn tensed as she straightened her dress. "What the hell was that?"

"The Commies have bombed us!" Tom rushed to the window. He quickly stepped back as another flash lit up the sky and rattled the building again.

"What is this?" Tuvok asked.

Chakotay grabbed Kathryn and waved the men into the corner away from the large window. "Listen to me and listen well. We're under attack by the Hirogen."

"Who?" Kathryn said.

"Who the hell are the Hirogen?" Tom asked.

"New enemy. Really deadly. Listen to me and I'll get us out of this."

"How?" Tuvok asked.

Another volley shook them as Chakotay covered Kathryn with his body. "Obey my orders." He looked at Tom and said, "Tough for you right now, I know, but how much battle practice have you gotten in this program?"

"This program?"

Chakotay tapped his lapel pin and called out, "Doctor, where the hell was my 47 hours?" The sound of more phaser fire and detonations drowned out his call as the three men and their former captain hunkered down, defenseless, together.