Three weeks later, the wedding plans were well underway. They would have the family dinner on the Enterprise the evening before, and the wedding and reception would take place at Admiral Paris' home with him officiating. The Doctor and Seven were preparing special music arrangements, and Tom would provide 20th century jazz for the reception.

Chakotay and Kathryn had returned from Indiana two weeks ago, and for the last couple of days Chakotay had disappeared for a while in the afternoon. She wondered what he was up to, and her curiosity was peaked when he approached her at her desk in the early evening. He held his hand out to her and said, "Would you take a walk with me? I have something to show you."

She put her science reports to the side and took his hand. "Does this mean you are going to tell me what you have been up to?"

He just smiled and pulled her toward the door. The route seemed familiar to Kathryn as they made their way through the streets of San Francisco, and it wasn't long before she recognized the neighborhood with the small park where Chakotay had held her and told her about his family. He continued past that park, turned down another street, and soon they approached a dead end. Set back from the end of the road was an elegant, two story home with a large yard around it. Tall trees were scattered over the property with small garden areas in full bloom. The house had replicated stonework around the bottom third, with the rest made of a beige natural-looking replicated wood. He stopped in the drive leading to the home and glanced over at her. "What do you think?" he asked.

"It's a beautiful home," she said. "Do you know these people?"

He tugged his ear and gripped her hand tighter. "It can be ours if you want it."

Her blue eyes widened as she looked at him then back at the property. "What do you mean?"

"I walked back through this neighborhood a few days ago and stopped to speak to a couple who were in the park. They told me that this house is empty. The family who lived here transferred off world. I have been talking to the broker the last couple of days. The home is ready to move into and completely furnished. It can be ours by tomorrow afternoon."

"You're serious, aren't you?" she asked quietly.

"Very. We both liked this neighborhood when we first found it. The couple I spoke to said it is, indeed, a very quiet and peaceful area. Several families who live here are tied to Starfleet in some way. Would you like to see the inside? The broker is waiting for us if you want a tour."

She blinked back tears. "I would love to, Chakotay."

He walked her up the steps and through an ornately carved door. Once inside, she glanced around and had to blink back more tears. The rooms were large but comfortable with rich, neutral colors and detailed architectural elements. Tall windows let in the light and warm tones of the setting sun. He led her upstairs to a master suite not unlike the one they stayed in at her mother's house. He showed her two other rooms and a sitting area, then two offices, the kitchen, a long, formal dining room, and the den downstairs. He took her outside to a large patio area that stepped down to a beautifully landscaped yard.

The broker approached them and said, "Captain Janeway, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have been speaking with Commander Chakotay for a couple of days about the property. Is it to your liking? Do you have any questions I can answer?"

Kathryn took another long look over the grounds and the home and smiled. "It's perfect!"

Chakotay grinned widely but said, "Are you sure? We can keep looking if you don't like it."

She gazed into his eyes and said, "No, love, it really is perfect. I could be very happy here." She kissed his cheek and turned back to the broker. "So what do we do now?"

By the next afternoon, as promised, they had the security code and could start moving in. Chakotay unlocked the door and followed Kathryn inside, and they stood together looking around at their new home. Chakotay put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "I can't believe I have to pack again," he said with a groan.

She laughed and hugged him. "I wonder if we can get Tom and Harry to help. Although, I am not letting them in my bedroom. Maybe B'Elanna would come, too."

He turned his body to hers and pulled her close, cupping her cheek in his palm and losing himself in the blue seas of her eyes. "My love," he said softly. "All I have wanted since we met is to make you happy. We are building a new life together in this house. If I can fill these rooms with your smile, then will I truly be home." She gripped the back of his neck and pulled his lips to hers, all the love she held for him passing between them with the spark of a plasma discharge. She was just beginning to lighten the pressure when her com badge beeped.

"Doctor to Captain Janeway."

She stepped back to get to the badge that had been crushed against Chakotay's chest. "Janeway here. Hello, Doctor."

"Captain, I was hoping to speak with you and Commander Chakotay. Would you possibly be free for a few minutes this evening?"

"Of course, Doctor." She paused for a moment as she glanced at Chakotay with raised eyebrows. He nodded his head and she continued. "We have time right now if that will work."

"I appreciate it, Captain. Now would be fine."

She gave the coordinates of their new home to the Doctor. He materialized a few moments later in the den and looked around. "I am not familiar with this place, Captain. Are you visiting with someone? I don't mean to interrupt your evening."

She smiled and briefly squeezed Chakotay's hand. "You are the first guest in our new home, Doctor. We haven't even actually moved in yet. We just acquired it today."

He smiled and took a closer look at everything. "It is a lovely home. Congratulations!"

Kathryn waved him to a chair while she and Chakotay took the sofa. "Thank you, Doctor. Chakotay is the one who found it for us after we discovered this neighborhood a few weeks ago. We will be happy to give you a tour after we discuss what you came for."

He looked at the both of them. "Naomi Wildman came to me for her check-up yesterday. She refused to see any other doctor and it was finally agreed that she could see me. It seems that Starfleet Medical has decided a determination must be made as to what, exactly, my role will be. They have called a meeting of the Council for the day after tomorrow. I know I said I wanted to handle this on my own, but I find myself a bit apprehensive. I was told I could invite a few people for support if I wish to. I was hoping that the two of you would be willing to attend. They may have questions that you could answer, or perhaps you could speak as character witnesses. You were a great help in the past when the decision was made as to my rights to my own creative works."

"Doctor, we are more than willing to be there and to do whatever is necessary," Kathryn said.

"I am sure there are more crew members who will join us if asked," Chakotay said. "We want to help. All of the crew respect you not only as a medical provider, but as a friend and a valued member of Voyager. Please, let us contact a couple of others for you. We need to speak to Tom and B'Elanna and Harry anyway to see if they would help us pack and unpack. Again," he rolled his eyes playfully at Kathryn. "We could tell them about the meeting when we contact them."

"Thank you, Commander. It may help to have them there, as well. You may tell them about the meeting. When are you planning this moving party?"

Chakotay chuckled and said, "The sooner the better as far as I am concerned." He looked at Kathryn and asked, "Tomorrow?" She smiled at him, lighting the room and making his heart skip a beat. He turned back to the Doctor. "We will contact them tonight."

Doc said, "If Tom and B'Elanna are both coming, perhaps I could join you. They could bring the baby. I am her godfather, after all. I am an excellent babysitter."

Kathryn laughed and said, "That would be nice, Doctor. You could use one of the guest rooms here as a nursery. How about that tour now?"

Doc rose and said, "By the way, Commander, I would like to thank you again for allowing me to use your quarters. I have been able to enjoy my opera, I have taken up painting again, and I even moved in a piano. There was no room in the laboratory to continue my hobbies. I did not realize that I missed them until I was able to partake in them again."

Chakotay patted him on the back. "That's great, Doc. After the meeting with the Medical Council, we can talk to someone about allowing you to retain those quarters, or at least getting some of your own. They are going to figure out soon that I am not using them."

Kathryn and Chakotay showed Doc around their new home, including the patio and yard outside. When they returned to the den, Chakotay suggested they go to one of the offices and contact Tom and Harry. They called Tom first and Mrs. Paris answered. "Captain Janeway, Chakotay. And Doctor," she said. "What a pleasant surprise. How are the wedding plans coming?"

Kathryn answered, "Lovely, Julia. Thank you again for letting us use your home."

"Please, think nothing of it. You probably could have asked for a procession through the streets to the lawn of Starfleet Headquarters. Hosting the ceremony here is the least I can do for the Commanders who brought my son and his new family back home to me."

"Speaking of your son, we were hoping to reach him. Are he and B'Elanna available?"

"Yes, just a moment, please." Julia moved out of view to be replaced shortly after by Tom, and B'Elanna with Miral on her shoulder. "Captain, Commander. Hello, Doc," Tom said.

Chakotay said, "Tom, we have a couple of favors to ask."

"Anything, Commander," he said.

"First of all, Starfleet Medical has called a meeting to discuss the Doctor and what his rights will be. He has asked that a few of the crew members attend to answer questions or serve as witness on his behalf."

Tom looked at the Doctor with a smirk. "Do I get to tell them about the time you downloaded personality subroutines and made a pass at my wife?"

"She was not your wife at the time, Mr. Paris. You can't blame a hologram for trying."

Tom and B'Elanna laughed. "We will gladly be there. Just send us the time and where."

"The second thing," Chakotay said. "Kathryn and I have bought a new home. We could use some help packing everything and moving. Would you two and Harry be available tomorrow? The Doc has offered to come and babysit Miral, as well."

B'Elanna looked at Tom and said, "I won't pass up freely offered babysitting. Miral and I will definitely be there."

Chakotay grinned at her. "That's good, because Kathryn says she is not letting Tom and Harry near her bedroom."

Tom smirked and said he would be there with B'Elanna.

"Thank you," Kathryn said. "I appreciate your willingness to help."

"Captain," Tom said, growing serious. "We owe you far more than packing and unpacking a few boxes. You are family, and always will be. No thanks are necessary."

"Well, how about beer then?" Kathryn asked.

"Now you're talking!"

They agreed to meet at Kathryn's apartment at 1000 hours, then she terminated the link. She contacted Harry next and told him about the meeting first. He agreed that he would be there to support Doc. "Also, Harry, Chakotay and I have a favor to ask."

"Anything, Captain," he said.

"We are moving into a new home. We could use some help tomorrow if you are willing. Tom and B'Elanna and the Doctor will be there."

"Captain, if it will get me out of my parents' house, I will help you move to Vulcan."

Kathryn laughed. "Well, it is not quite that far, but it will give you an excuse for a few hours."

She gave him the time and directions to her apartment and ended the link. She turned to the Doctor and put her hand on his shoulder. "Well, Doctor, it looks like you have plenty of support. Don't worry, the crew of Voyager is not going to let one of our own be marginalized by Starfleet."

Doc said, "Thank you, Captain, Commander, for everything. I will leave you to enjoy your new home, and I'll see you tomorrow." He dematerialized from the room and Kathryn and Chakotay were alone again. He took her hand and kissed it, once again looking deep into her eyes. He stood, tugging her up with him, and led her into the den. He sat on the sofa and pulled her down beside him, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her legs over his lap. He leaned down and kissed her soft lips, her hand caressing the back of neck. When he broke the kiss, she could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to say something. When he remained silent, she rested her hand on the center of his chest and asked, "What is it, Chakotay?"

He took a deep breath. "I have spoken to Captain Picard. The Enterprise will be heading out the day after our wedding. I know the timing is bad, but our leave will be up in just a few weeks. He is willing to make a small course change and take us to Trebus. I think I am ready to make the trip if you are with me, but I hate to ask you to spend our honeymoon onboard a starship."

Kathryn laid her hand along his cheek and kissed him again. "I will gladly go with you, love. I don't care where we spend our honeymoon, as long as we are together. You need to see your sister, and she is my family now, too." She smiled at him, her blue eyes twinkling. "Besides, I'm sure Jean Luc will understand if we lock ourselves in our quarters."

He grinned and slid his hand to her breast as he said, "Oh yes, I'm sure we can think of something to pass the time." He leaned her back in his strong arm and pressed his lips to hers, his hand gliding down her side and leg until it slipped under the hem of her skirt. His skilled fingers left a trail of tiny fires up her inner thigh as she abandoned herself to his touch.