"Hey, momma." I say as I enter the living room.

"Hello, dear. And who might you be young man?"

"I am Chakotay."

"Nice to meet you, Chakotay. Would you care for a brownie?"

"Yes. Mrs. - Gretchen."

Chakotay hadn't really caught what he was saying until my mom turned her eyes toward him. I gave him a brief sympathy glance before grabbing a brownie off the proffered tray.

"Gretchen. Sorry. Kathryn warned me right before we got in here, too. My culture never referred to elders in such a relaxed way."

"First you make the cardinal sin of almost calling my wife Mrs. Janeway, and now you're calling her old. Things aren't boding well for you."

"What I meant to say is –"

"I know what you meant to say dear. As long as you don't do it again." My mom's face upturns into a joking smile that puts Chakotay at ease.

"Is that brownie still being offered?"

"You seem to be in luck. Edward and Katie have spared a couple this time. I honestly feel like I have made enough brownies in two months to feed the Federation."

"Just an Admiral and a Lieutenant. And a couple strays along the way."

"They're delicious Gretchen." Chakotay says. His face is rapturous like I always expected it would be if we ever made it home in time for my mom to make him some.

"They're an old family recipe. Of course, not for Katie. She's hopeless in the kitchen. Anything beyond a pot of coffee is beyond her."

I can see that my mom expects me to try to disagree, but instead I just chuckle at the accuracy in the statement.

"But I make a damned good pot of coffee."

"And drink way too much of it."

"I come by my coffee habit honestly. You knew when you married daddy that at least 25% of him was made up purely of coffee. Can I help it if I'm a daddy's girl?"

"I hope you never do, Goldenbird."

"So Chakotay, would you like to tell me more about yourself?" My mother's wheedling ways are helpful in diplomatic events, but right now they make me feel awkward on Chakotay's behalf.

"Sure. I am 25. I teach advanced tactics at the Academy. I enjoy anthropology and archaeology."

"Tactics. That's your specialty then."

It was a statement, not a question. I could see a little confusion in Chakotay's eyes before my mother continues.

"Edward has ship design. Katie is a whiz when it comes to quantum mechanics. I solve math problems in my sleep. Phoebe is an artist. And you are a tactician."

I knew instinctively that Chakotay felt peace at being included beside the rest of us.

"So I am."

"Where are you from Chakotay?" This one is from Phoebe. Her intense study of him makes me think that there will be a painting sooner rather than later depicting his rugged good looks.

"Trebus. It's a planet in the Dorvan system. I have a cousin in Ohio as well."

"What made you decide to join Starfleet?" My dad's question is curious, but I can see a dark glint in Chakotay's eyes born of pain and regret over the lost years with his family.

"Captain Sulu visited Trebus regularly and spoke so highly of Starfleet. I had always known I wanted to explore the stars. As soon as I was old enough, I applied, was accepted and flew to earth."

He failed to mention that he hadn't told his father anything, and it wasn't until his third year at the Academy when his father showed up in San Francisco that he even told his father about his decision.

"It must be hard on your parents having you so far away." This from my sweet momma. I know it's always hard when daddy or I get stationed away from Earth.

"Yes, it is."

I decide to spare Chakotay and ask when lunch will be ready.

"I'll go check. Edward, Phoebe, lend an old woman a hand. My mother winks before exiting towards the kitchen.

"I know that was hard on you. They are just too curious for their own goods."

"No, it's fine. I wouldn't expect them to have a stranger in their home without asking a few questions.

"I guess." I move from the chair to sit beside Chakotay on the couch. "I just know how hard the separation has been on you."

In a move I didn't expect, Chakotay pulls me closer to his side. I rest my head on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat beneath my ear and relax into him.

"It has been. My father was so disappointed when he visited me at the Academy. But then, you probably already know that."

"You have told me before, but I know how cathartic it is to get things off our chests."

"He honestly thought that he could drag me back to Trebus. He just came in and started talking about my responsibilities to my tribe."

"He loves you, Chakotay. When I entered the Academy, both of my parents pushed me towards the command track, but I decided on science. I stuck to it until two months ago. Now my parents are over the moon, and I get to start on a new part of my life." I pull my head away from his chest and place a hand on his cheek. "It isn't that he tried to push you into doing what he wanted. It's that you don't think he is proud of you. But sitting in front of me is a man that any father would be proud to call son."

Chakotay kissed my forehead then placed my head back over his heart. We sit in a comfortable silence feeling connected to each other.

And that's the scene my family walks into. I can tell by their faces that they're shocked, but they all quickly temper their features.

I think for a second about moving, but they have already seen what there is to see. And I know it is soothing to me and Chakotay to sit like this.

"Lunch is ready in the kitchen, Katie." My mother says. In her way of thinking, she believes it's best to avoid the elephant in the room until a time she can corner me later.

With that, they exit once more after giving our position another once over.

"Thank you, Kathryn."

"For what?"

"For not jumping when your family came in. You've also given me quite a bit to think about."

With that we stand up and make our way to the kitchen. The meal is filled with conversation and more friendly interrogation of Chakotay.

By the time I walk Chakotay to the transporter station, the sun is beginning to set.

"Thank you for coming today, Chakotay."

"I almost didn't. If you hadn't looked so earnest… I'm glad I did, though."

"I hope we can see each other again soon."

"I'd like that." Just outside the station, Chakotay drops his face and gives me a brief kiss on the lips. It began and ended so quickly that I felt for a second that I might have imagined it.

"Bye, Kathryn."

"Bye, Chakotay."