Chakotay paced around the ballroom, keeping his eye on the door, waiting for Seven to arrive. He tugged down on his black tuxedo jacket and adjusted his tie. She and Icheb should have been there by now. He felt a hand clap him on the shoulder. Turning he looked into Tom Paris's eyes.

"Did you get stood up?"

"Not hardly. She's just running a bit late."

Tom frowned. "Seven, late? Doesn't she have a built in chronometer or something?"

Tom was right. She shouldn't be late. Something was wrong. And of course it had to happen tonight of all nights.

"Maybe I should contact her aunt."

"I'm teasing. Come on, lighten up a bit. It's only ten minutes past the hour. The band isn't even warmed up yet."

Another group of people filtered in, but still no Seven and Icheb. He sighed aloud.

"You have got it bad." Tom chuckled.

Chakotay shot him a look, and Tom lifted his hands in defeat. "I'm just saying."

In the back of the room, the band began to play, and people started to make their way to the dance floor. B'Elanna came up behind Tom and wrapped her arm around his.

"They're playing our song."

"Really? I didn't know we had a waltz."

"Any song is our song. Who knows how long it will be before we get a chance to be alone again? My father's only going to be in town for two days. After that, it's you, me and Miral."

"That's pretty great, isn't it?" Tom grinned from ear to ear.

"It sure is. She's amazing." B'Elanna paused, worry cast over her features. "Should we go get her?"

"Your father's got this covered. Don't worry. You're right, let's make the most of the evening." He kissed her cheek a split second before she tugged on Tom's arm, pulling him to the dance floor. Chakotay watched them slip into each other's arms and naturally meld into the crowd of dancers.

"Waiting for your date?" The Captain's gravelly voice broke through his thoughts. He turned and saw her, decked out in black satin regalia.

"Where's your date?"

"I'm stag, I'm afraid. But, my dance card is already partially filled and will soon be full. There isn't an officer in the room who doesn't want to hear about the Delta Quadrant." She gave him a wink.

"I'm sure that's not the only reason they want to dance with you. You look amazing."

"Thanks." She looked him over. "You look pretty sharp yourself."

Chakotay gave her a bow. Just then he heard murmurs from near the doorway. He looked up in time to see Seven entering. The blue gown she wore set off her eyes, making them radiant. Her hair was down, curled into soft ringlets at the tips, glowing gold under the soft lights. Men parted for her as she stepped into the room. He felt blessed beyond measure when her eyes locked on his, and everyone else in the room faded away. As they walked towards each other, Chakotay was faintly aware of voices, but nothing else. No one else mattered. She was here, and she was his.

They met, and he clasped her hands in his. "You look incredible." She blushed under his gaze. "I was worried."

"I'm sorry I am late. Icheb decided at the last minute not to attend. He brought me and dropped me off outside—but then returned to Aunt Irene's." She smiled. "I believe she intends to 'spoil' him."

"Good for Aunt Irene." He pulled her closer and whispered. "Dance with me."

Seven tipped her head back, a teasing glint in her eyes. "But, no dipping."

"No." He still hadn't taken his eyes off of her. They walked to the floor and picked up the beat as if it were something they were accustomed to doing every day. And still, he noticed no one else around them. She was the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, ever had the privilege to be with, and she was in his arms. They danced five dances, and then moved off the floor and stepped out of doors onto a balcony. There were people here and there, sitting on benches, standing near the railing, cooling off and visiting.

The moon was out in its full glory. Chakotay led her to a quiet spot, away from the others, where their view was blocked by a trellis covered in roses. He picked one for her.

"I will keep it in a book. A memory of our sixth date." She slipped it into her clutch.

"Only six dates. Things have sure moved quickly with us." He motioned for her to sit on the empty bench and he joined her. "Sometimes things are just right."

"I agree. What will we do on our seventh date?"

"I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it will work out." The plan he'd formed earlier in his mind began to muddle as it played with his nerves.

"What ever it is, I am sure I will enjoy it." She spoke with such confidence in him that he mustered his courage all over again.

"I thought," he paused, "we'd skip to the end of dating and take the next step."

Seven's brows furrowed in thought. "I have not read about the next step. Please enlighten me."

Sweat broke out across the back of his neck. "Well, people date for a while and see if they are a good match."

"We are a good match." Her brows furrowed.

"Exactly." This was going horribly. Everything he'd thought to say, everything he'd planned had fallen through the sieve that was now his brain. He erased the plan and decided to wing it. "Seven, you know how Tom and B'Elanna had their baby dedication now, because in a few days everyone is going to go their separate ways?"

"Yes."

"Well, I got to thinking, if we were still on Voyager, still in the Delta Quadrant, we'd probably date a bit more. But as it is," he paused, not sure what to say next.
"Do you wish to change the parameters of our relationship?" He heard the fear in her voice and grabbed her hands in his to stop her panic before it began.

"I do. But for the better."

"How can it be better?" He loved her more when she said that.

"If you were my wife." He slipped off the bench and held open a box with an engagement ring perched inside. "Seven, will you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

Seven froze. He wasn't sure she was breathing, and then a trembling nod began, a tear rolled down her cheek and her lips parted. "Yes."

He slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her into his arms, his lips pressed against hers, his arms wrapped around her. When they parted, she stared down at the ring, into his eyes and was kissing him again before he knew it.

An hour later, composed, they rejoined the ball. As they took to the dance floor, everything seemed different. The colors of the décor were more vivid, the music more intense, and Seven, especially Seven, more solidly in his arms than ever. As the night went on, people began to leave and Chakotay saw his chance. He led Seven up near the stage and asked for a microphone.

"Can I have your attention?" The dancers went still, and those sitting at tables stopped talking. All eyes were on his. He looked around, picking out his closest friends. Tuvok stood with his wife, Katherine on the floor with her latest partner, Tom and B'Elanna staring over at him, Harry and his date, and the Doctor with his date. In a few days, they'd all go their separate ways. But for one last time, they'd be together. He put his hand out to Seven and pulled her near him.

"We have an announcement to make."

The next morning came fast and furious. They'd all arrived for the meeting at Starfleet headquarters and were standing ill at ease facing an empty podium. People spoke in hushed tones. No one knew what to expect. Tension grew in the air. Chakotay watched Seven from one foot to the other, clenching her hands together in rhythm.

"Are you doing okay?"

She shot him a look of surprise. "I am doing my relaxation exercises. They seem to help."

"Good." He saw the worry in her eyes. "Whatever happens, we're together."

Seven's eyes softened at the edges. "Yes." She took his hand and exhaled, visibly relaxing.

Just then, Admiral Paris entered the room. A wall slid back behind them, revealing open tables and chairs, each one with a name placard on them.

"Welcome everyone. Please move to your assigned seats. At each seat, there is a package with your name on it. Please leave it unopened until I give you directions otherwise." Admiral Paris directed the throng of Voyager crew members towards their chairs. Most of the Machis had been on pins and needles, wondering if they would be prosecuted for crimes against the federation now that they had returned to the Alpha quadrant. Seeing clearly that no one had been taken into custody, they were finally relaxing and feeling more like they were indeed home to stay.

"I will keep this short. Several of the brass here at Star Fleet headquarters wanted to have a formal get together. But we've decided against any commendation ceremonies." He smiled genuinely around the room, his eyes resting on his son, Tom for a moment. "We realize that calling attention to your actions, individually or as a group in front of total strangers would be wasted on you as you've become as close as family. As such, we've decided to keep it in the family. You can, at leisure, open the packages now in your hands and read the plaques that were made for each of you individually. You all had exemplary behavior under considerably hard circumstances, and I can honestly say we are all proud of each and every one of you."

He paused again, taking a drink of water quickly before continuing. "Now, I would also like you to make note of any promotions that the officers and civilians have achieved. Your Captain will be handing out pips after I leave. And, I would like to say, that during a unanimous vote by the leaders of the academy, each and every one of the non-regulation star fleet officers were accepted into the fleet at the status that Captain Janeway had previously established, or has recommend based on your service to the crew. Without question, you deserve this and more. A few of those officers were also promoted based on their performance during your time in the Delta quadrant." There were mummers around the room at his statement. This was not at all what they had expected. "And finally, one last bit of news. Two years ago, we began designing a ship, to honor those who we considered lost on Voyager. It is aptly named Voyager B. This ship will be ready in six months. If any of you want to be assigned to Voyager B, then you get first choice. No one is ordering anyone to do so, but I would strongly suggest you consider this. You are all a finely tuned team, again I'll use the word family, and never has there been a crew so heavily decorated." The room filled with disbelief.

"And with that, I will hand over the podium to the Admiral." He turned to the seat at his right and faced Admiral Janeway, shaking her hand warmly as she walked past him. He stepped out of the hall and the door slid closed in his wake, leaving only the Voyager crew behind.

They crew could see that the Admiral was as surprised as they were at this offer. She stood speechless before them all.

"I guess we all have some thinking to do. I'd have to be demoted back to Captain—I don't know if I want to do that." Everyone laughed at her sarcasm. "Frankly, I'm at a loss for words." Janeway looked rather helplessly towards her first officer, Chakotay. He stood up, feeling all eyes suddenly turn towards him.

"I'm as shocked as the rest of you are. I fully expected to return to some kind of civilian life, not because I wanted to, but because that would be the only choice I was given. I think we all have some heavy thinking to do." He sat back down, rather stiffly, looking uneasily towards Seven. Her gaze was focused down on the plaque in her hand.

Janeway went around the room, asking crew members to stand as she applied pips to their uniform. After each one, the crew clapped. Finally, she came to Seven.

"Seven of Nine, please stand." Seven's eyes widened, but she did as requested.

"For exemplary duty above and beyond, you have been awarded the level of lieutenant." Janeway applied the pips to the edge of her outfit. "You know this means you'll have to get a uniform like the rest of us." Several people chuckled. Janeway held out her hand. "Congratulations." As Seven took Janeway's outstretched hand, the crew applauded.

Seven sat back down and glanced at Chakotay, who gave her a huge grin. He could tell her emotions were in turmoil, but she seemed to be handling it okay.

"Now, that's done." Janeway turned to face her crew, and then her gaze settled on Seven and Chakotay. "I think we all have a wedding to attend."